Jinxed

March 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-Trask Academy, an elite arts academy for the uber-wealthy, hides a lot of secrets within its gilded walls. The gory but captivating prologue describes the fiery death of one its most promising actresses a generation ago. Unfortunately, the story quickly loses steam as it jumps to the current group of Trask students, all angling to catch the eye of talent scouts at the upcoming showcase. Right before the big show, a masked murderer starts picking off the teens, killing them all in theatrically grisly ways. Layna, a senior at Trask on a rare scholarship, tries to solve the mystery, but is terrified she might be at the center of it all. Nods to the original Nightmare on Elm Street film are abundant, especially when the killer's motive is revealed. The resolution strains credulity-time lines don't add up, and plotlines jumble. Multiple pop culture references and lots of slang will date this title pretty quickly. VERDICT This reads like a cheesy horror flick that could be entertaining if readers are willing to suspend every ounce of disbelief. Not recommended.-Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 16, 2018
In this trilogy opener, a ruthless killer stalks the students of an elite performing arts school on a secluded island and ties each of their murders to a superstition. Layna Curtis, a scholarship student who never knew her parents, is at the heart of the deaths, as the killer picks off her friends one by one in increasingly gruesome ways. When Layna discovers that the events might be tied to the mystery surrounding her long-dead mother, she realizes that she's the final, ultimate target, and she must do whatever it takes to stay alive. Hutson, who's written extensively on films such as Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street, creates a gore-filled, coincidence-heavy throwback to the classic teen slasher flick genre. A "gotcha!" ending sets things up for the next installment. Graphically detailed descriptions of people burning to death or being hacked to pieces make it clear that this work of horror isn't for the faint of heart. Ages 12âup.