Promises to Keep

Gr 9 Up—Strong-willed Jay Marinitch is a vampire hunter living in an intriguing world full of Tristes, shape-shifters, and other supernatural beings. Jay, 19, is a witch and part of SingleEarth, an organization whose purpose is to maintain the peace and keep the multitude of species in balance. In his search for answers surrounding the discovery of an unconscious woman, Jay accidentally releases an angry elemental, a being that "gain[s] power through the mortals bound to [it]," who is bent on revenge. He also uncovers disturbing information about the resurgence of Midnight, a vampire-controlled slave empire. To combat impending chaos, Jay partners with some unlikely allies. While full of mysterious characters, compelling mythology, and intricate plot twists and turns, this involved story can be confusing and leaves many questions unanswered. Readers should be familiar with Atwater-Rhodes's past works since previous characters are mentioned or make appearances, which can complicate things. Recommended for the author's fans.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY