The Paradise Trap

February 13, 2012
Jinks (the Evil Genius series) combines a plot filled with surreal twists and turns with a dash of Greek mythology in a novel that hits the mark on both the humor and horror fronts. Eleven-year-old Marcus has no interest in spending the summer at the beach with his mother, Holly, in the old trailer she buys—he’d rather play video games than deal with the obnoxious crowds. However, Marcus and his new friends, siblings Edison and Newt, discover that the trailer somehow has a secret cellar, which takes them to fantastic, too-good-to-be-true places that entice them to stay in the mysterious realm (for Edison, it’s an amusement park; for Newt, a rocking nightclub). Although several classic tropes appear (from the various dangerous paradises to Edison and Newt’s mad scientist–like father), Jinks keeps her material fresh, weaving in old myths and the occasional bit of social commentary; a sizable amount of the story is told from Holly’s point of view, in addition to Marcus’s. The result is a fast-paced adventure that’s easily as exciting as one of Marcus’s beloved video games. Ages 8–12.

July 30, 2012
When Holly rents a busted trailer from childhood friend Coco for a vacation at Diamond Beach, her 11-year-old son, Marcus—who would rather spend the summer playing video games—is less than thrilled. Adding to his displeasure is the fact that the beach (a prime vacation spot, as his mother recalls it) has gone to seed. But while playing in the trailer with Coco’s stepson, Edison, Marcus discovers a hidden stairwell that leads to a number of alternate universes. Chelsea Bruland’s narration is clean and engaging, if a little uninspired. She does little to differentiate the book’s characters, e.g., her rendering of Marcus is very similar to her narration of descriptive and expository passages. However, Bruland does deepen her voice for some of the male characters—and her rendition of the story will likely please fans of the book. Ages 8–12. An Egmont USA hardcover.