Impostor

January 1, 2013
In this sequel to 2012's Slide, Vee suspects that someone is sliding into her own mind, instead of the other way around. Vee has the ability to "slide" into other people's minds and take over their speech and actions. However, she has been having blackouts herself, some leading to near-fatal consequences. Vee and former best friend Samantha patch things up after Samantha learns that Scotch, the boy who menaced Vee in the earlier book, has been spreading rumors about her, and they concoct a plan to retaliate. Everything goes wrong when Scotch falls off a cliff after yet another blackout. Vee doesn't know how Scotch fell, and the girls must hide their involvement in the incident. After a murder occurs, matters become even more serious, and Vee doesn't know whom to trust. Even as all this plays out, Vee realizes she wants to get romantic with friend Rollins, who doesn't seem to reciprocate, and Vee's long-lost aunt shows up and seems to be taking her mother's place in their home. Vee's on-again, off-again romance with Rollins adds some spice and uncertainty, but the major story here surrounds the mystery of who is sliding into Vee. Suspects abound. Hathaway manages to juggle a lot: Family matters, friendship and romance mix with the paranormal elements and the mystery. Hits the right buttons for mystery and paranormal lovers. (Paranormal mystery. 12 & up)

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June 1, 2013

Gr 10 Up-In this sequel to Slide (HarperCollins, 2012), Vee Bell, who is able to "slide" into the minds of others, is trying to recover from the death of her first boyfriend. Only Rollins, her best friend and potential love interest, knows about her special ability. Then something odd begins to happen: what she first thinks are just vivid dreams are anything but-someone is sliding into her and controlling her actions. Then two potential suspects enter her life: her Aunt Lydia, a replica of Vee's deceased mother whom the teen has oddly never met, and Diane, an older woman who suspiciously manages to show up just when Vee needs help. The situation becomes more dangerous when her mind is hijacked during a prank meant to teach a bully a lesson (which goes terribly wrong). Vee wants to turn to Rollins, but is stopped by jealousy over his new friendship with an attractive classmate. The resolutions to Vee's dilemmas are satisfactory, but leave readers wanting to know more about sliding. Fans of Lisa McMann's "Wake" series (S & S) will enjoy this evenly paced paranormal mystery. Like the first book, Imposter addresses themes that adolescents can relate to: insecurity, trust, betrayal, and revenge. Romantics will also appreciate the roller-coaster relationship between Vee and Rollins. The language and mature situations make this series more appropriate for older teens.-Sherry J. Mills, Hazelwood East High School, St. Louis, MO

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2013
Grades 8-12 Six months after the events of Slide (2012), Vee Bell is still traumatized by nightmares, constantly reliving the night she was almost killed. Her ability to slide into the consciousness of other people remains strong, but she seems to be gaining some control over her powers. However, new dangers threaten her fragile stability. Her mother's long-lost sister appears out of the blue, claiming reconciliation, but Vee doubts her motives. More menacingly, Vee suspects that someone is sliding into her own consciousness and using her to do terrible things. Despite the supernatural setup, the story at its heart plays with real-world elements: the decision whether to turn friendship into love; a prank gone horribly wrong, which requires a cover-up and family secrets. Red herrings abound, and the ending is not as sinister as the buildup implies. Fans of the first book will be happy for this continuation of Vee's story, while new readers will want to start at the beginning so they can fully appreciate her journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)