Until Beth

November 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Beth Collins has a talent, and the tingling in her chest is the only premonition she receives that her world is about to be rocked. The story begins with Beth still hurting over the disappearance of her boyfriend, dealing with the downward spiral of her brother's accident, and realizing that things might not be as "normal" in her small town as she once thought. It's a roller-coaster ride from there. She finds out that her friend and bandmate, Andre, is as talented as she is, and he helps her enroll at a school for musically "gifted" (emphasis on the "gifted"). Everyone at the school has a gift (besides the musical kind)-but each is potentially harmful to society; Beth finds out quickly that High Step isn't what she thought and not what she wants. As she fights to figure out who is who in the dangerous game of "guess that talent," Beth is torn among Vincent, Xavier, and Sam. Who is telling the truth? Who really cares about her and not her ability? There are many players, and readers are left wondering what happens next, but thankfully it's a "to be continued kind of question," as the author plans a follow-up of Beth's future. VERDICT A solid addition to fantasy collections that has shades of Twilight's love triangle.-Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI

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