Balthazar

March 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Minor characters from Gray's "Evernight" novels (HarperCollins) take center stage here. Skye, a human teen with psychic ability, and Balthazar, her vampire inamorato, endeavor to thwart the evil vampire Redgrave and his minions as they try to exploit Skye's powers. The story never takes wing, though, courtesy of its Potemkin construct. As a main character, Skye does little. Her psychic ability is not useful-she sees how people are going to die but cannot do anything about it. Her function is that of being someone Balthazar can swoop down on and rescue from various dangers: lone walks in snowy woods, lone walks home from school, and fainting spells. Her parents, grieving over the loss of their son, are rarely home. Skye's solitude makes her more vulnerable to evil vampires and more in need of Balthazar's protection. When she does have a talk with her parents, they remain unbelievably committed to their work and grief, thus allowing a convenient, if implausible, out for Skye. She can run off with Balthazar without feeling guilty about leaving them. In addition, the attitude about sex is permissive to the point of being reprehensible. Charity, a 14-year-old vampire, is Redgrave's lover. This detail does nothing to move the story along. Readers know already that he is evil, so this relationship seems gratuitous.-Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Library, NC

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2012
Grades 8-11 This entry in the Evernight collection takes leave of Bianca and Lucas, though both make brief appearances, to focus instead on Skye, a human with supernatural ties, and Balthazar, a rogue vampire. Back in her hometown, Skye is essentially living alone. After the death of Skye's brother, both parents have retreated into their work, speaking to Skye mainly through her closed bedroom door. Balthazar is also mourning a sibling: his sister, Charity, whom he turned into a vampire, has become a plaything of Redgrave, the ancient and powerful vampire who changed Balthazar and who is now pursuing them, seeking the intoxicating power found in Skye's blood. Balthazar vows to guard Skye, and does so by posing as a teacher, adding to the dynamic of forbidden desire. Though billed as a stand-alone, this novel will be best enjoyed by those familiar with the world of Evernight. By slowly unfolding layers of the story, Gray builds suspense and creates intriguing and complex characters. The ending opens up the possibility of a continuation down this branch of the Evernight tree.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2012
Skye Tierney's newfound ability to see the dead brings her misery--and the attention of vampires craving her psychic blood. Her old Evernight Academy classmate and crush, vampire Balthazar, volunteers to protect her even though experience tells him vampires and humans don't mix. Skye and Balthazar's alternating narratives, as well as Balthazar's anguished historical flashbacks, keep pages turning in this supernatural romance.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)