Quicksilver

Gr 9 Up—This sequel to Ultraviolet (Carolrhoda Lab, 2011) resumes the riveting tale of the lives of Alison and Tori, two former enemies whose sanity and survival depend on one another. The first book described Alison's journey into despair as she contemplated the possibility that she had murdered Tori. After a psychotic break caused by her severe synesthesia and time in a psychiatric unit, she emerged still unsure whether her memories of Tori's disappearance were factual. Here, the narrative switches to Tori. She has fled her hometown in order to evade authorities who are questioning her mysterious return after vanishing for three months and the unusual results from DNA samples provided to the authorities. With a determined detective and a genetic lab on their trail, Tori and her parents change their names and appearance and move to a new city in hopes of finding a normal life. No longer chic and popular, Tori keeps her head down and tries to remain invisible. She goes to school online, takes a job at a grocery store, and guardedly makes one new friend. Nothing could be more ordinary, until a part of her past, scientist Sebastian Faraday, reappears in her life. Tori's life and freedom and that of her friends are now in jeopardy. Can she use her intelligence, innate skills, and bravery to save them all or will she trade her life for theirs? The unique answer will leave readers shocked and amazed. A must for all libraries owning Ultraviolet and a reminder to others to buy them both.—Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT