The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza

Starred review from December 11, 2017
Sixteen-year-old Elena Mendoza doesn’t have a father—hers was a virgin birth (scientifically known as parthenogenesis), and Elena has never stopped feeling like an outsider or freak. (Her classmates have nicknamed her Mary, even though Jesus would be the more biblically accurate nickname.) Elena also hears voices, and after her crush Winifred (aka Freddie) is shot while Elena is working at Starbucks, the voice (coming from the company’s corporate logo) tells Elena to heal her—which she does. Caustically funny and irreverent, the voices urge Elena to heal others, but people disappear from the planet every time she does. As he did in At the Edge of the Universe and We Are the Ants, Hutchinson uses an “Is this the end of all things?” premise to create provocative and moving insights into the angst, wonder, and uncertainty of being a teenager. Elena’s carefully developed relationships with her supportive best friend Fadil, her ex Javier, the conflicted Freddie, and her family bring additional depth to a thoughtful story about choice and destiny. Ages 14–up. Agent: Katie Shea Boutillier, Donald Maass Literary.

Elena Mendoza is the product of a virgin birth, earning her no shortage of mockery and isolation from peers and strangers alike. At age 16, she learns she can heal people, but her new power comes with a harrowing price. Narrator Candace Thaxton handles a varied cast with ease, capturing Elena's ongoing conflicts and the personalities of her friends, enemies, and the various inanimate objects that channel holy spirits. Hutchinson's story is full of pain, hope, and humor, and Thaxton's brisk pacing and full characterizations enhance the warring desires and high stakes. Strong friendships buoy this narrative, and the combination of romance, supernatural elements, and danger make this a solid match for fans of slow-burning thrillers and YA fiction. K.S.B. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine