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Van Diepen, Allison
6 Reviews
(4)
YA
Stand-in parent Grace wants to protect her younger brother Alex from a dangerous Miami gang. Then her first love, former gang member Mateo, returns; although Grace doesn't trust Mateo, she thinks he might be able to dissuade Alex from gang life. While characterizations are fairly one-note in this high-stakes romance, Grace's struggle to balance family responsibilities with her own goals and desires is compelling.
Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald
(4)
YA
When spunky, independent Gabby Perez talks about date-rape drugs on her radio show, she discovers an underage prostitution ring in her Miami neighborhood. Then she meets "X"--the alluring leader of a vigilante gang that rescues prostitution victims. Gabby and X's romance is hasty, but fans of van Diepen's urban fiction (including companion On the Edge) will enjoy their steamy connection and fast-paced investigation.
Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald
(4)
YA
After reporting an attack on a homeless man, Maddie Diaz fears the attackers' gang may come after her. However, she finds herself under the protection of their rival gang's leader, Lobo; the two quickly fall in love as Maddie learns more about him and his cause. The story ultimately feels melodramatic, but many teens will appreciate its grittiness and suspense.
Reviewer: Randy Ribay
(3)
YA
Fresh from a two-year stint in juvie after taking the fall for Diamond Tony, Darren is eager to get revenge by infiltrating his drug dealing operation as a police informant. However, the deeper into the game he gets, the greater the risks become. Darren's gritty, tensely told story is fast-paced and engaging. Solid urban fiction with high reluctant-reader appeal.
Reviewer: Randy Ribay
(3)
YA
A quirk of "literary physics" allows sexy vampire-hunter Alexander Banks, Amy's favorite character from the Otherworld books, to cross into our dimension. Unfortunately, his nemesis, brutal vampire Vigo, crosses over, too, threatening Amy, her friends, and all of Chicago. This witty and well-plotted meta-narrative about a reader's fantasy come to life has appeal for both vampire fans and voracious readers of all genres.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
(4)
YA
Nicole's already hectic life juggling senior year, break-dance battles, her part-time job at hot club Evermore, and her devastating home situation only becomes more turbulent when she discovers her crush on fellow breaker Zin is mutual. A unique multicultural spin on Zin's supernatural secret, together with speculation on the line between good and evil, invigorates the story's familiar fantasy tropes.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
6 reviews
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