Spellcaster

May 30, 2011
Shultz's debut is an absorbing romantic tale of curses and the power of love. For 16-year-old Emma Connor, leaving her alcoholic stepfather (and family tragedies) to live with her great-aunt in New York City is a relief, but Emma's hopes of flying under the radar at her exclusive new private school are dashed when she becomes the target of snobby mean girls and a skeevy lothario. Yummy Brendan Salinger comes to her rescue, and they instantly click, but strange things start happening: streetlights blow out when Emma's nearby, and she's receiving warnings from her deceased twin brother in her dreams. As Emma puts the puzzle pieces together, she learns time is running out for two souls stuck in a "never-ending cycle of reunion, romance, and then tragedy." Shultz's characters have great chemistry and snappy dialogue, and the author captures the tantalizing energy of a new romance and the ugliness of teen jealousy. The relationship gets rather gooey, and the second half of the story falters until the dramatic climax, but readers should still be swept along by the protagonists' faith in true love. Ages 14âup.