The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart

Gr 9 Up—This sequel to Darker Still (Sourcebooks, 2011) finds Natalie Stewart, 17, coping with the chaos and intrigue that entered her life when she rescued Jonathon Whitby's soul from the painting in which it had been trapped. She hopes to have a regular courtship with Jonathon, but he's off working as a double agent with the men who imprisoned his soul while she tries to interpret her prophetic dreams and the runes that mysteriously show up on her skin. Humans and demons both figure prominently in a twisted attempt to reanimate dead loved ones using the magical talents of Natalie's young friend, Rachel, and the two of them must try to put a stop to The Society's latest plot while saving themselves. Despite the 1880 setting and rich language, the characters and story remain completely relatable to teens. Natalie is a strong protagonist dealing with both boys and demons. She also has to interact with an older female mentor, a younger female protégé, and a jealous peer. The differences in the ways in which she relates to each of these women, as well as to the men in her life, make her a realistic and sympathetic character. Despite the glut of magical fantasy titles on the shelf, this is one worth recommending to your teen readers.—Sunnie Sette, New Haven Public Library, CT