Auracle

June 25, 2012
The dream of seeing a supernova or the island of Madagascar can be a great escape from the realities of living with an alcoholic parent—and 17-year-old Anna Rogan lives those fantasies. She knows how to leave her body, traveling the astral plane at the speed of thought. She even has someone she can talk to about it: her best friend Rei has known Anna’s secret since they were four, and he has been covering for her nearly as long. He also knows the risks, which Anna blithely disregards, but neither of them is prepared for the day when spoiled rich girl Taylor Gleason refuses to die, taking over Anna’s temporarily unoccupied body. With a friend implicated in Taylor’s death and a body living a life beyond her control, Anna must rely on Rei in a partnership that goes far beyond their previous friendship. Rosati makes an assured debut, with a narrator who is believably young yet pragmatic. Anna’s judgment is still a work in progress, but that progression is evident and deeply engaging. Ages 12–up. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger.

July 1, 2012
Anna has a clever talent: She can, somehow, rise out of her own body and travel about as a spirit. This has always been an amusing gift, especially useful during boring classes, but when she witnesses an accidental death after her friend Seth fails to save an almost-stalker classmate, Taylor, from a lethal fall, the trick becomes perilous. Dead Taylor occupies Anna's spiritless body, leaving the high school junior with no place to go. Fortunately, Anna and best friend--and almost boyfriend--Rei have such a spiritual connection that he's able to detect her presence, and they find they can conveniently communicate by computer keyboard. Seth is accused of murder, but readers must seriously suspend disbelief; he'll go on trial just days later because his crime is so "vicious," leaving the two clever teens very little time to evict ruthless Taylor and convince the court that a spirit can serve as a witness. While not great literature, this fast-paced adventure is surprisingly engaging, as Anna, in an earnest first-person voice, and Rei navigate the pitfalls of their evolving relationship and try imaginative ploys to send away Taylor, who has taken over Anna's body with an almost humorous vengeance (tats, piercings and the like). Readers who enjoy more than a dash of the paranormal in their romance novels won't be disappointed with this amusing albeit lightweight effort. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)

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December 1, 2012

Gr 10 Up-Anna has an unusual talent-she can pop out of her body to explore the world and the universe whenever she gets bored or needs to escape. Her best friend, Rei, is the only one who knows about her ability, and he doesn't approve. He's afraid she'll get sucked into a black hole, or that something will happen to her body while she's not inside. Anna has always thought Rei was just a worrier...until something bad happens. Taylor Gleason, the meanest popular girl in their high school, in an attempt to seduce Anna and Rei's friend Seth, blackmails him into meeting her at the local waterfalls. When they argue, she slips and plunges over the falls to her death. Only Anna, who astrally projected to watch over Seth, witnesses what happens. And while she stays with him in spirit, Taylor's soul finds Anna's unoccupied body and decides to take up residence. Now Taylor, in Anna's shell, is accusing Seth of her murder. Anna has to find a way to get her body back and clear Seth's name. Fortunately, she still has Rei on her side. Rosati's first novel has an original premise and an intriguing plot despite early flaws. The exposition in the beginning chapters pulls readers out of the story-and away from essential character development-and into a more academic mindset. However, once past these explanations of astral projection, reiki, and interconnections of matter, energy, religion, etc., a well-crafted and exciting novel emerges. Teens who enjoy more complex plotlines and are tired of the usual fare should enjoy this new approach to paranormal fiction.-Heather E. Miller Cover, Homewood Public Library, AL

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2012
Grades 7-10 Seventeen-year-old Anna deals with her father's alcoholism partly through her lifelong friendship with Rei, the boy next door, and partly through astral projection. Leaving her body, she has traveled around the world, into the cosmos, and to the nearby waterfall where Taylor, a predatory party girl, has lured Rei's buddy Seth before she slips at the edge and crashes to her death. Anna returns to her body, only to find it occupied by Taylor, who (as Anna) accuses Seth of murder and tries to seduce Rei. Working to exorcise Taylor and reclaim her life, Anna realizes that her own feelings for Rei go way beyond friendship. Anna's compelling first-person narrative creates a fine balance of elements: romance, family dynamics, paranormal activity, action, and suspense. Does it strain credibility when, in a crisis, Anna's powers expand to include healing mortal wounds? Probably, but most readers will be too interested in finding out what happens next to stop for reflection. A captivating first novel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)