Revel

December 15, 2012
An orphan girl seeks a family and finds more than she could have expected. When her mother dies, Delia tries to reach the Maine island where her grandmother lives but finds it cut off from the world. Finally, an old man takes her there, but no one welcomes her. Uncovering the secrets of the island, she learns that a race of demigods tied to ancient Greek mythology controls everything that happens there, while the occupants do their best to accommodate those they see as their protectors. Those accommodations, however, include demanding great sacrifices from some of their young people. Worse, real monsters lurk just under the surface of the sea, and a few might be found on land as well. But when the celebration of Revel arrives, Delia acts as no other has dared in the history of the island. Tension flares when both Delia and Jax, her supernatural protector, step outside the rules. Demigod or not, Jax doesn't control the forces or the true rulers of the island. Guibord keeps the focus on the island's unfolding mysteries and on the adventure, throwing in two possible romantic partners for Delia: a handsome local boy and Jax, the (thankfully) unhandsome, rebellious demigod. Characters come across as believable and engaging, especially Delia's tough grandma, Ben, the seaman who, as he says, is older than he looks, and iconoclastic Jax. A smooth and imaginative-enough adventure, complete with romance, monsters and mythology. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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March 1, 2013

Gr 9 Up-After Delia McGovern's mother dies of cancer, the 17-year-old has to seek out a grandmother she has never met, who lives on a mysterious island off the coast of Maine. Trespass Island doesn't appear on maps, and the residents forcibly discourage outsiders. When Delia manages to make her way to the island, she discovers that it is home not just to human beings, but also to sea-living descendants of the Greek god Poseidon called Aitros, or First Ones, who rule over the humans. Prevented from leaving, Delia makes friends with other young people and with Jax, a young male First One who is an outcast from the Aitros clan. However, she finds that the protection of the First Ones comes at a price. At Revel, the summer solstice ceremony, young human women are compelled to mate with male First Ones and give up any resulting infants to them. When Delia resists, she makes a terrifying and amazing discovery about her true nature and her mother's reasons for fleeing the island. This mash-up of Greek mythology and HP Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth is a cut above many other recent YA titles featuring mermaids, mermen, sirens, and other water creatures. The Maine setting is described in loving detail. Delia is a strong heroine who finds her voice both literally and figuratively as she opposes the First Ones' exploitation of the human residents of the island, and the enigmatic Jax makes a compelling love interest for her. Purchase where paranormal romances are popular.-Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2013
Grades 9-12 After her mother dies, Delia flees the foster care system and heads off to the mysterious island off the coast of Maine where her grandmother lives. Once she arrives, though, Delia realizes that there is a terrifying reason her mother fled Trespass Island: real monsters who won't make it easy for Delia to leave. Blending paranormal elements, romance, and Greek mythology is becoming a common occurrence in YA titles, and Guibord's novel is a nice addition to that genre mash-up. The fast-paced story features enough hot guys and winks at steaminess to appeal to most teen paranormal romance fans, and while Guibord reveals some mysteries early in the book, she saves others for the end, propelling the story along. The teen charactersespecially smart, resilient, and forthright Deliaare a likable bunch, making it easy to find at least one well-drawn character to identify with in this enjoyable offering.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)