Horn Book Review
Fans of the Tantalize quartet (Tantalize, rev. 3/07; Eternal, rev. 3/09; Blessed, rev. 1/11; Diabolical, rev. 1/12) will appreciate this companion novel featuring its supporting cast. Set in Smith's alternate Austin, Texas, during the events of Diabolical, this book follows wereopossum Clyde and human Aimee as they investigate the murder of their werearmadillo friend Travis. They're joined by Yoshi, the brother of missing werecat (and prime suspect) Ruby. Just as the three teens realize that their information about Ruby doesn't add up -- and that she's not the only wereperson to disappear recently -- they're drugged and whisked away to a private island where werepeople are hunted as game. Calculating yeti and ghostly Travis join the established motley crew of werepeople, vampires, and angels, and while some lingering questions from the quartet are answered, plenty of new and old mysteries remain to be addressed in projected sequels. As before, Smith's blend of supernatural suspense, campy humor, and romantic tension is addictive; allusions to both pop culture ("Thriller," Monty Python) and literature (The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Most Dangerous Game) add to the fun. Most satisfying of all, Aimee and especially unassuming, injured Clyde leave their sidekick roles behind to come into their own. katie bircher (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Shape-shifting werepeople battle to survive on a remote island while vampires, Yeti-like creatures and other creeps hunt them for sport in this action-packed, goofy companion novel featuring secondary characters from the series that began with Tantalize (2007). Werecat Yoshi heads toward Austin, Texas, looking to find his sister Ruby, who's been missing since her involvement in the death of an evil vampire chef and a well-liked teenage werearmadillo, Travis. He enlists the unlikely help of Travis' friends, a human, Aimee, and a wereopossum, Clyde. The trio is eventually kidnapped and spirited to the island, where the story takes its surprising Survivor/Hunger Games turn. Teens who favor humorous paranormal romance that never takes itself too seriously will enjoy dialogue that sparkles with wit, filled with both literary and pop-culture references. ("You're saying that you and my sister perform exorcisms on vomiting children with rotating heads?") Aimee, Yoshi and Clyde take turns narrating in the first person, each of them sarcastic, with varying levels of self-deprecating snark coloring their inner monologues. It may be difficult for readers to keep track of the vast ensemble of characters, particularly if they haven't read the previous four books, but many won't care--instead they'll be wrapped up in the playful, smart tone. (Paranormal romance. 13 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
