Shattered Blue

Gr 8 Up—Debut author Horowitz writes a fantastical tale of love and betrayal. Noa's year at Harlow Academy was perfect until her sister Isla died in a tragic accident. Now Noa must try and keep her family together: her grieving father, catatonic mother, and changeling baby sister, who won't let Noa out of her sight. At the same time, she must come to terms with her role in her sister's death. Into this colorless existence comes Callum. There is something about him that immediately attracts Noa, much to the chagrin of her friends Olivia and Simon. But Callum holds a secret: he is blue Fay, living in exile in our world, and he lives on Light, the future happiness of humans, which he siphons off through touch. But Noa begins to fall for him despite this. However, when his younger brother Judah risks the wrath of their father to join Callum in exile, and Callum mysteriously disappears, Noa finds her affections being pulled in two directions while the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance. Horowitz takes very familiar themes and puts a unique spin on them with her colorful world-building. There is more than enough emotion and angst to keep any romance-loving teenager glued to the pages, and the promise of a trilogy will keep them eagerly anticipating the next book. However, this might be a book better read than listened to. Whether it is due to an accent or just inconsistent narration, there are multiple times throughout when narrator Dara Rosenberg changes the pronunciation of Callum's name. While this might seem like a minor detail, it will be jarring for many listeners.