The Eternal Ones

Starred review from July 19, 2010
Miller (the Kiki Strike books) delivers a smart and sinister tale of romance and destiny that should spawn plenty of imitators. Haven Moore has spent her entire life in the small Tennessee town of Snope City, kept under tight watch by her religious grandmother and the town's priest. She's generally able to resist and control her visions of a past life with a man named Ethan, but when she sees a picture of Iain Morrow, a handsome New York playboy, she starts to suspect they share a bond that could date back centuries. She runs away to New York, where she finds not only Iain, but the Ouroboros Society, a mysterious group dedicated to helping people discover their former lives. Even as feelings for her newfound (or rediscovered) lover awaken in her, she realizes that both Iain and the society are keeping secrets from her. Her investigations take her further into the society and threaten her life. Miller's writing elevates the supernatural romance well beyond typical fare, and Haven's mix of naïveté and determination makes her a solid, credible heroine. Ages 12–up.

July 15, 2010

Haven Moore can't wait to graduate and escape her small Tennessee hometown—and her repressive grandmother. But she is plagued by strange seizures that confuse her with images of clandestine embraces with a mysteriously familiar man named Ethan. When the fits prompt her grandmother to cancel Haven's first semester at fashion school, the rebellious and inquisitive girl heads for New York, where she encounters both Iain Morrow, the sexy celebrity in whose body Ethan's soul now resides, and the Ouroboros Society, a shadowy organization dedicated to the study of reincarnation. As Haven tries to understand her visions, she finds herself mired in a battle between good and evil, but she can't be sure of the real villain. The questions surrounding Iain/Ethan's motives—is he a liar, cheater and/or murderer?—nearly undermine the romantic tension, and the slightly-too-long story sags in the middle. But Miller is adept at humorous description (Haven's grandmother has "the pinched nose and the perfect posture of a meerkat"), and her keen eye for detail and Haven's bold maneuvers keep the tale humming along. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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Starred review from August 1, 2010

Gr 8 Up-The title refers to the multiple reincarnations of personalities who can't let go of their past. As they live each life, they strive to alter events somewhat to succeed better at their goals of love, greed, or power in a future life. Haven Moore is a high school senior who has had visions of previous lives since she was a small child. Her strict, religious grandmother and guardian insists that she is possessed by demons. Haven believes she is being driven to find the current reincarnation of her true love. The teen is a fine seamstress and has saved $12,000 making prom dresses with her gay friend, Beau. As her small-town world closes in around her, she decides to make a run for it to New York City, where she has seen the love of her lives come back in the tabloids because he has been accused of murder. This novel is a mystery, a thriller, and a love story. There is also a touch of the occult via the Ouroboros Society, an organization that purports to gather members from the reincarnated of the world. The element of mystery is consistently sustained from the beginning as Haven tries to determine if the man she loves is trying to kill her. The romantic ardor is touching, with minimal allusions to sex. The story allows for a healthy dose of vicarious living through every teen girl's fantasy to run away to the big city full of exciting adventures while being caught up in the battle of good vs. evil.-Meredith Toumayan, The Governor's Academy, Byfield, MA

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2010
Grades 8-11 You dont have to be a vampire to find a love that lasts forever. Reincarnation is another option. Haven Moore, 17, becomes an outcast in Snope City, Tennessee, after her visions of a previous life convince the town that she is possessed by a demon. Haven remembers mid-1920s Manhattan, when her life with Ethan Evans ended in a fiery death for both. In this current incarnation, Ethan is Ian Morrow, a billionaire murder suspect, and much of Millers story revolves around Havens detective work to verify if Ian is trustworthy. The plot alternates a few too many times between Haven hating or forgiving her lives loves, but fans of paranormal romances likely wont mind. Haven finally sorts out the good and bad characters, but the happy ending sets up the possibility for the danger and love to continue, in this lifetime, or perhaps a future one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)