The Marked

March 1, 2012
The intrigue deepens at Delcroix Academy in volume two of the Talents Trilogy (The Candidates, 2010). Dancia Lewis has always been different, not surprising for a girl with a potential Level Three talent for manipulating forces of nature. But even among her gifted peers at Delcroix Academy, Dancia doesn't quite fit in. She not only has one of the greatest powers the school has ever seen but also the street smarts to realize that there is something more to the Program and its Chief Recruiter, Mr. Judan, than meets the eye. Though Dancia is working hard to learn to control her powers, she's increasingly distracted by her mounting suspicions. Why did her best friend Jack choose to live a life on the run rather than commit to the Program? How much does her boyfriend Cam really know about Mr. Judan and the secret operations he oversees? This outing is likely to please fans of the series. Dancia is a likable heroine, and it's fun to watch as she comes into her own, both harnessing her powers and gaining the confidence to stand up for what's right even in the face of danger. Though there is far too little of Jack, diminishing the potential for a truly juicy love triangle, there's plenty to keep readers entertained. Still, not likely to win new fans to the series. (Supernatural mystery. 12 & up)

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May 1, 2012

Gr 6-10-Despite her ability to manipulate Earth's elements, Dancia Lewis is nervous about committing herself to the top-secret Program at Delcroix Academy, a special school for teens with otherworldly abilities, but her boyfriend, Cam, assures her that it's the right decision. Despite his confidence in her and the fact that she has been told that she has "the potential to someday move mountains," Dancia is anxious about her lack of control, especially since she unintentionally caused a "natural disaster" in her neighborhood. She soon learns there's more to the Program than meets the eye when an old friend emerges from the shadows. Jack, who was himself once part of the Program, is now a member of a gang hoping to take down his former school. He tries to tell Dancia the truth behind its "promotion of peace and stability throughout the world" ethos. While the teen attempts to put her doubts out of her mind, Cam gets deeper into the Program's underground activities and begins to have his own questions about what they're being taught. This intriguing adventure maps the identity development of a freshman who hasn't reached the point of believing in herself.-Kathryn Kennedy Ivill, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

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