Finished 3-21-12, rating 4/5, YA, 304 pages, pub. 2011
Book 1 of a new YA series.
I don’t read many young adult books, so I’m fairly picky when I do pick one up, but this is by one of my favorite authors and a continuation of the Myron Bolitar series so it was a no-brainer. For those who love Myron this is a nice way to transition out of the series (if that is what Coben’s planning). Myron is still around, but only marginally and his ward/nephew is a lot like him.
Mickey’s dad is dead and his mother is a junkie in rehab. His uncle Myron, who had been estranged from his dad since before he was born, agreed to take him in while his mom cleaned herself up. Mickey is living with Myron in the house his dad where grew up, going to the same school his dad did, and being lured in to the same urban legends of the neighborhood.
The Bat Lady is someone feared and ridiculed so when she tells Mickey that his father is not dead he doesn’t know what to think. But he has other more pressing problems, like being the new kid at school and having your brand new girlfriend disappear. He also befriends or is befriended by two of the school outcasts, Spoon and Ema, who help him get into and out of trouble depending on the day.
This book felt very similar to Coben’s Myron series and as a fan I appreciated that. Mickey is a boy who grew up a nomad, living around the world with his parents until he was 14, only a year before, so it stands to reason that he may have more worldly smarts that most kids. Only he may have been too much like Myron in his propensity to find trouble for him to truly seem like a kid. And the bullies at school seemed a little like caricatures.
I really liked the story and, as always, the plot was intricate and moved along at lightning speed. There was a cliffhanger at the end, but the second book is coming out this fall so I don’t have to wait long to find out more.
I thought this was a good foray into the YA genre and I loved visiting Myron, even if only for a few minutes here and there.
I liked this one a lot too and I’ll be anxious to see where Coben takes it.
I enjoyed this one as well and look forward to the next book. Kathy Reichs also is writing YA, if you have read her Temperance Brennen series, you like her niece’s adventures. Virals I think is the first book.
I’m so glad that you really liked this one. I have a copy at school and I can’t wait to read it now. I love Myron! and I also have Virals that Nise is talking about in her comment!
I’ve only read one book by Harlan Coben. It was one of the Myron Bolitar series and I thought oit was great. I definitly want to read more by this author. This book sounds intriguing. I especially like that you found the plot introicate and the story moved at lighting speed….just the way I like mysterys!
Since this is a favorite author of yours, are there any of Harlan Coben’s books you recommend? What were some of your favorites?!
Terrific review, Stacy :o)
I have not heard of this author but I am very interested now. Will keep my eye out for sure. I am a YA junkie, but am getting over the sameness off it all now. This sounds interesting and different.
Is everyone venturing into YA nowadays? If so, this one sounds darker than the usual and definitely stands out in the genre.
I love Harlan Coben’s adult books and since i also like YA fiction I was anxious to try this one. I thought it was OK but not nearly as good as his other books. I will probably read the next one to see where it goes and if I like it better.
I’ve started using this as material for my resource room. Kids love/like it. Anybody know where I can find lesson plans?
I have read the first two books, in this series, with my MS students for the past couple of years- they love them! I have been a fan of Harlan Coben’s for years and was thrilled when he wrote a YA series. I wish I could find supplemental material for the YA books. If you haven’t read anything by Harlan Coben, I highly recommend that you do!