The Dark In-Between

April 1, 2020

Gr 8 Up-Casey Everett escapes a near-death drowning accident that claims the life of her best friend Liddy. Casey is haunted by guilt, memories, and blame; she let go of Liddy's hand in the water. Left grieving in the following weeks, Casey thinks the strange memories of that awful night are hallucinations. Then an extraordinary thing happens; an angel named Red crashes to earth with the news that he is on a mission to save her soul and earn his wings back. During Casey's resuscitation she'd actually died briefly, and has since existed in a limbo state between life and death. Red informs her that Liddy's soul is in limbo, too, and that if Casey cannot help her get where she belongs, the demons there will torture her friend forever. When Casey's childhood friend Evan discovers Red and learns their secret, the trio bands together, following Liddy's ghostly essence, but always one step behind. Guided by Red, whose loose feathers become lethal weapons, they encounter other lost souls who need protection and eventually battle the powerful fallen angel, Azrael. Readers who enjoyed Cassandra Clare's "Mortal Instruments" series will appreciate the fighting, angel lore, and spooky elements of this entertaining, fast-paced novel. There's plenty of chemistry between friends-to-lovers Casey and Evan, while Casey's grief is handled in a sensitive and appropriate manner all the way to the satisfying conclusion. VERDICT With a seamless narrative and engaging characters, this is a great addition to most YA collections.-Sandi Jones, Wynne High School, AR

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2020
Grades 10-1 After a near-death experience?which her best friend Liddy didn't survive?Casey has mysterious, terrifying visions and hears eerie voices. When Red, a feather-shedding teenage boy, drops out of the sky, Casey learns that, when her heart was stopped, she formed an unbreakable bond with Liddy. As long as Casey lives without taking action, Liddy will remain in Limbo, a purgatory full of dangerous creatures and angels who seem more like demons. With her lifelong friend and possible love interest, Evan, Casey must follow Red's instructions to find Liddy and guide her through the in-between to the afterlife. Hrib weaves a dark and dangerous story of life and death with vivid, energetic characters and a heart-pumping pace that hurtles readers along. Casey and Evan's blooming bond in a time of disastrous trials tests their friendship with each other as well as with their beloved Liddy, and Casey, with her gift of shepherding souls, will have to make some life-altering decisions. A novel take on a popular paranormal concept.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)