Starred review from October 1, 2007
Smith's YA debut (following the memoir West of Then) is an intensely atmospheric, angst-ridden paranormal thriller revolving around three Portland, Ore., teenagers. During a surreal, drug-filled summer, the three must come to terms with an incredible revelation: they're all supernatural entities known as changelings. The futures of artistic Ondine Mason, troubled Alaskan runaway Nix Saint-Michael and beautiful, ambitious Morgan D'Amici become irrevocably intertwined during a secret rave in the woods around Mt. Hood. They think they've come to a party, but a terrifying arcane ritual called the Ring of Fire reveals their true natures as well as their critical roles in a looming and potentially deadly otherworldly conflict. Powered by sharp characterizations and an almost dreamlike narrative, this amalgam of fantasy, horror and romance\x97first in a projected series\x97will strongly appeal to paranormal fantasy enthusiasts, particularly fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, which, coincidentally, also takes place in the wilds of the Northwest. Discerning readers will appreciate Smith's subtle use of symbolism and imagery throughout. Ages 15-up.
March 1, 2008
Gr 10 Up-Morgan, Ondine, and Nix are unaware of the special link they share. Morgan and Ondineboth beautiful, intelligent, and artistically inclinedknow they are different from those around them, but don't know why. Nix drifts from place to place and uses "dust" to escape seeing the rings of light forming around people about to die. At an underground concert, the three discover that they are changelings. For Morgan, this knowledge provides answers to her questions about her differences and an exultation of power, while Nix finds answers about his visions and Ondine rejects the information. In the end, the teens form a ring, using their abilities to save a human "pet," Neve, from the clutches of a "cutter" (a fairy bent on destruction) with the outcome leaving the door wide open for a sequel. Except for Nix and Moth, the fairy "teacher" of the three new fairies, the characters are unremarkable, with the majority being vague stereotypesBleek, the cutter, is the fairy gone bad; Neve, the helpless girlfriend; K.A., Morgan's brother, the overachiever. For the first half of the book Morgan's and Ondine's characters could be interchangeable. The fact that Ondine is black comes up late in the book and seems irrelevant until the question of her fairy heritage arises. That said, Smith's story is edgy and compelling. Readers will want to find out about Nix's visions and whether or not Morgan will join Bleek or stick with her ring. Language, drug use, and implied sexual acts make "Betwixt" most appropriate for older teens. Readers of Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" or Bill Willingham's "Fables" graphic-novel series (both DC Comics) will be the audience for this complex, but flawed, debut."Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA"
Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2008
Whenthree teens, each haunted by uncanny happenings, receive invitations toa top-secret summer solstice celebration, they expect atypical Portland rave.Instead, theyfind an elaborate ritual staged to inform them abouta secret, powerful nonhuman race to which they actually belong. Eagerness to learn about the race will pull readers through the first 200 pages, which introduce the connections hurlingthe teens toward the truth. Thereafter, themomentum slackens, with Smithhaphazardly doling out facts about the teens true physiology and situation, and introducing confrontations with evil renegades thatend before they havetruly begun.This isntadvertised asa series launcher, but many readers will emerge hoping for additionalinstallmentsthat clarify hazy plot elements andfurther developSmiths interesting characterswhose matter-of-fact multiculturalism is a bonus.Aspects of this dark fantasy will remind some readers of Stephenie Meyers Twilight (2005), especially the poetically limned Pacific Northwest setting. But the language in this book isunusually raw, and occasional sexual allusions, often in a leering context, will substantiallynarrowthe booksaudience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)
Starred review from October 1, 2007
Smith's YA debut (following the memoir West of Then
) is an intensely atmospheric, angst-ridden paranormal thriller revolving around three Portland, Ore., teenagers. During a surreal, drug-filled summer, the three must come to terms with an incredible revelation: they're all supernatural entities known as changelings. The futures of artistic Ondine Mason, troubled Alaskan runaway Nix Saint-Michael and beautiful, ambitious Morgan D'Amici become irrevocably intertwined during a secret rave in the woods around Mt. Hood. They think they've come to a party, but a terrifying arcane ritual called the Ring of Fire reveals their true natures as well as their critical roles in a looming and potentially deadly otherworldly conflict. Powered by sharp characterizations and an almost dreamlike narrative, this amalgam of fantasy, horror and romance—first in a projected series—will strongly appeal to paranormal fantasy enthusiasts, particularly fans of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga, which, coincidentally, also takes place in the wilds of the Northwest. Discerning readers will appreciate Smith's subtle use of symbolism and imagery throughout. Ages 15-up.
January 1, 2008
Three teens discover that they are fay (fairy) changelings and react, respectively, with fear, denial, and greed as they learn about their powers and responsibilities. Though first novelist Smith loses momentum by withholding too much information for too long, her dark-edged fay underworld, rife with sexual undertones and drug use, will appeal to fans of Holly Black and Melissa Marr.
(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)