Bad Blood

January 1, 2017
Grappling with self-harm, a white teen confronts connections to a dark and distant past, family secrets, and magic.Heather MacNair is eagerly compliant in order to win release from in-patient treatment for self-harm so she can visit her father's family in Scotland as she does every summer and see her Scottish friends. But the treatment hasn't been successful--she's still compelled to cut the first chance she gets, and she has vivid nightmares of twin sisters in 1600s Edinburgh. Despite Heather's mother's deep reservations, Heather flies off to Scotland--where she discovers her beloved aunt has become sick and her grandmother is losing herself to dementia. The matter-of-fact, daily-life treatment of tragedies and the lively characters (from Heather's vibrant friends to her good-natured aunt) give the story movement and prevent it from becoming a downer, even as the twins' story, told in flashback dreams, grows ever darker. In between happy reunions and hiding her cutting, Heather discovers she isn't the first in the MacNair family to experience the twins--and more. Soon, she's tempted by a dangerous power she doesn't know much about. Romantic subplots add unobtrusive texture and contribute to believable characterization. Aside from an Indian friend, most characters are white and Scottish. The setting charms, and the mystery unravels at a good clip. A thoroughly enjoyable contemporary Gothic. (Paranormal suspense. 13 & up)

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March 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-Heather MacNair's tendency to self-harm has landed her in a psych rehab center. She quickly feigns recovery so she can convince her parents and doctors to let her spend her summer in Scotland with family and friends. Heather believes that if she can escape to Scotland, she will be able to stop self-harming and live a normal teenage life. Unfortunately, the compulsions only intensify and are made worse by nightmares filled with twin Scottish girls from the 17th century, Prudence and Primrose. As Heather's dreams become increasingly terrifying and begin to seep into reality, she must fight back before Prudence and Primrose destroy her. Heather discovers that blood magic lurks in her genes. She must decide if she is willing to use her blood magic to save herself, and her family, from insanity and death. This is a chilling gothic thriller, with threads of horror woven throughout. The chapters alternate between Heather in the present day and the twins in the 1600s. This is a sinister read that some may find frightening, with scenes of murder, self-harm, witchcraft trials, and mild gore. VERDICT Fans of Katie Alender's "Bad Girls Don't Die" series will appreciate this work and its spine-chilling twists.-Annalise Ammer, Henrietta Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2017
Grades 9-12 An intriguing introduction set in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1629, leaps to modern-day teen Heather, who has issues with cutting: her troubles stem from visions of Scotland's past, namely two sisters, Primrose and Prudence, who are hell-bent on destruction. Recently released from the Great Lakes Wellness Center, Heather visits relatives in Scotland, where (guess what?) the visions and dreams worsen, drawing her further into the turmoil of Primrose and Prudence and forcing Heather to look into her own family's past. Revelations are made about family and friends that leave her stunned and grappling for answers. As the conclusion draws near, the point of view shifts continuously between Heather and the sisters, past and present, mirroring Heather's mental state. Will she break free of them, and if so, at what price? Lunetta's latest has the perfect balance of mystery, magic, and realism with a sprinkle of Scottish history adding to the overall attraction. A perfect choice for fans of chilling supernatural reads.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)