The Well's End

Gr 9 Up—Baby Mia fell down the well, and for better or worse, that experience still defines her. Now almost 17 and a student at one of the most prestigious schools in the country, she finds that things haven't changed all that much-she is still alone and in the dark, but she remains a survivor. After a devastating virus attacks her school, rapidly ageing both young and old, she worries for her safety and that of her small group of friends. When soldiers in hazmat uniforms quarantine the school and for some strange reason single her out, she knows she must escape to the only place that is safe: the Cave, also known as Fenton Electronics, where her father is the director. Mia suspects that the Cave and her father may hold the cure for the terrible virus. What she discovers is something she never could have imagined. Fishman creates gripping suspense and characters that feel authentic. There are a couple of places where the story drags slightly, and Fishman has a tendency to overuse phrases. Still, this is a solid debut; it sets the tone for the series and leaves plenty of threads dangling for the books to come, which readers will eagerly anticipate.—Erik Knapp, Davis Library, Plano, TX