Nevermore

November 8, 2010
Isobel and Varen come from opposite ends of the high school social order: Isobel is a popular, blond cheerleader; Varen is a goth loner. Paired for a project on Edgar Allen Poe, their bare tolerance for each other turns to grudging respect after Isobel dumps her possessive, violent boyfriend. But as she spends more time with Varen and learns about the life and works of Poe, gruesome creatures start to stalk and threaten her. Poe's horror stories originated from his trips into the realm of dreams, and Varen's own dreams and writings have led him there, too. Now Varen is being held prisoner, and only Isobel can rescue him from his nightmares and keep the supernatural creatures from overrunning the real world. Though the characters eventually grow beyond clichés, the romantic chemistry is faint, and the storyline often shrinks behind the book's infatuation with Poe. But first-time novelist Creagh effectively builds tension, and those with an interest in the literary figure will savor allusions to his oeuvre and mysterious death. Varen's plight is left unresolved, presumably to be continued in later books. Ages 14–up.

December 1, 2010

Gr 7 Up-Cheerleader Isobel (another Bella?) becomes the reluctant partner of Goth Varen Nethers for an English assignment on Poe. Predictably, she falls hard for him, and he may not be a lost soul trapped between the real world and the dream world; psychologically abused by his father; or just a strange kid. There are so many dropped threads in the story that are just begging to be picked up in sequels that readers aren't really sure what has happened and what hasn't. The characters and story are interesting enough, however, to justify anticipation of further installments.-Corinne Henning-Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2010
In this competently executed entry in the still-growing paranormal-romance genre, sunny, self-absorbed cheerleader Isobel Lanley falls for the Poe-obsessed and darkly named Varen Nethers. The obstacles? Controlling meathead Brad and his crew, whom Isobel dumps for mistreating Varen; Mr. Lanley, who forbids his daughter from associating with a "hooligan," even to work on their joint English project; and a host of ghosts, ghouls and poltergeists who begin terrorizing Isobel as soon as she snoops into Varen's private journal. Though star-crossed longing between cheerleader and brooding gothboy is familiar territory, a few unique elements stand out. Verses from Poe's poems and synopses of his stories are woven seamlessly into the story, and the ghoulish spirit Pinfeathers is memorably menacing and gory. One needs to wonder, though, whether all 560 pages are absolutely, positively necessary. For paranormal-romance devotees who won't mind the long buildup to a creepy, otherworldly climax. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

January 1, 2011
Straight-laced cheerleader Isobel is annoyed to be paired with creepy goth classmate Varen for a school project. Her feelings (predictably) turn into attraction; she's then ensnared in Varen's fantasy world that integrates Edgar Allan Poe's dark plots and images. For those unfamiliar with Poe, this text's many twists may be frustratingly confusing; conversely, Poe fans will likely enjoy the copious allusions.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)