A Touch Mortal

May 9, 2011
In Clifford's cryptic first novel, Eden, depressed on a Jersey beach and contemplating suicide, is swept off her feet by a captivating stranger, Az, and his friend Gabriel, who are really angels. Gabe soon learns from "Upstairs" that Eden is destined to kill herself; meanwhile, her love for Az makes her a target for the Fallen, so Az and Gabe hasten Eden's suicide, in order to protect her. The plan succeeds, and Eden becomes a "Sider," one of a legion of immortally undead teens on the streets of New York. Eden has the additional "talent" of annihilating Siders who tire of their existence, which makes her a veritable rock star in the communityâbut loathed by the Fallen. Clifford matches the dark subject matter with a lugubrious tone, peppered with dry wit, as the gothic misfits navigate their purgatory. Though the almost casual treatment of suicideâand its portrayal as an act of true loveâis questionable, Clifford's target audience (and readers who take an imaginative interest in representations of the afterlife) are likely to interpret Eden's death as a symbolic act of transformation, rather than of self-destruction. Ages 14-up.

February 15, 2011

An otherwise intriguing twist on the paranormal is let down by forced melodrama and inexplicable secrets. Goth girl Eden—ignored by her mother, forgotten by her friends— is contemplating suicide when she meets the boy of her dreams. Luscious Az makes life worth living, and Eden spends an idyllic summer with Az and his gay best friend, Gabriel. Unbeknownst to Eden, Az is an angel, or at least used to be one. Now he's half-Fallen, caught between heaven and hell, holding onto Upstairs through painful effort and the assistance of the still-holy Gabriel. Az's enemy, Luke (three guesses as to his true identity), wants to drag Az fully into the ranks of the Fallen, and he will surely torture Eden if he finds her. But Eden's no ordinary girl. After an apparent tragedy breaks her spirit, Eden becomes a Sider, an undead suicide non-survivor, wandering the boroughs of New York in Goth finery. She makes both friends and enemies among the Siders (although the motivation of both is thoroughly unclear) and gains notoriety as a sort of afterlife Jack Kevorkian, helping failed teen suicides to a more successful death. Eden struggles to survive with the help of her potty-mouthed celestial posse. Those enamored enough of troubled-but-cute heroes won't mind the chaotic prose, plot holes and unlikable side characters—and will be thrilled by the setup for volume two. (Fantasy. YA)

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April 1, 2011

Gr 10 Up-Riddled with manipulations, betrayals, and secrets, this tale begins at the Jersey shore where high school senior Eden meets and (exasperatingly) immediately connects with Az when moments before she'd been contemplating suicide. Az, a half-fallen angel, and his friend Gabe, an angel currently Bound to Upstairs, discover that Eden is pathless and is apparently destined to commit suicide. She'll become a Sider, a supposedly immortal being kept secret from Upstairs who passes Touch (a sort of chaotic virus that hinders inhibitions and pushes mortals over the emotional edge). When the Fallen take a special interest in Eden, an unthinkable betrayal with far-reaching consequences leaves her with unheard of power. Foreshadowing and dialogue herald impending doom. The uneven pacing that denies the leads (and readers) a chance to get to know one another at the novel's beginning picks up in its final (and better) third, offering interesting twists and a movielike climax with sequel-justifying loose ends. Peripheral characters steal the spotlight, namely Gabe and caustic, loyal, and a little crazy Kristen, who runs a Bronx enclave of Siders and poaches clothing from the deceased. In this genre, Clifford's use of suicide as a plot device feels uncomfortable. While there is some nice descriptive prose, the dark subject matter and language make this an additional purchase for public libraries where mature teens are looking for the next paranormal read to check off their lists.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2011
Grades 9-12 Eden is bitter, depressed, and probably suicidal when she meets Az, a fallen angel, and Azs guardian angel, Gabe. As Az and Eden fall in love, Az and Gabe realize that Edens life (and afterlife) are in danger, and to protect her from an otherworld evil, she must die. After her drowning, Eden finds herself in a New York City purgatory, and as she gradually adjusts to her new life, she realizes that she possesses the power to finally end the tortured existence of her fellow purgatory inhabitants, known as Siders. Complicating matters, Gabe and Az have reduced abilities to protect her against terrifying, nefarious forces in this new realm. This debut title packs a paranormal story line with tension and romance. While teens will inevitably puzzle over the underlying symbolism of its characters and situationsEden; her friend and partner, Adam; the angel Gabrielthe story works as just an exciting tale of good and evil, strength and temptation, and love and hate, regardless of the readers belief system.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)