The Silver Mask

September 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-Callum, known as "Call," has spent six months in the Panopticon, bored by a lack of visitors and stressed out over the constant interrogations about his identity as Constantine Madden, a likeness he doesn't relate to or want. With his secret exposed and others afraid of him, he is surprised by assistance from an unlikely source, and finds his own trust violated by a demand to do the impossible in return for his freedom. Call's guilt over Aaron's death as well as the possibility that Constantine's powers could fall into the wrong hands move him to action, but the horror of success leads to devastation. What does it mean to be a hero, and is Call up to the challenge when he has lost so much already? Black and Clare bring the intensity of this series to an all-time high, with an emotional turn of events involving the dignity of life, the nature of a soul, and the value of true friendship. The budding romance between Call and Tamara feels a little out of place under the circumstances, as readers might expect the two of them to focus on their predicament rather than sharing kisses, but the inevitability and chemistry of their relationship is undeniable. VERDICT A must-purchase for libraries that carry this series; devotees will be thrilled to get their hands on this installment, which ends on a chilling cliff-hanger. As the characters age, so should readers, as the story grows ever darker and thought provoking.-Kerry Sutherland, Akron-Summit County Public Library, OH

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