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Ward, Rachel
4 Reviews
(3)
YA
Carl can't remember anything about the accident that drowned his brother Rob (and nearly drowned Rob's girlfriend Neisha and Carl himself). Amnesiac Carl's attraction to Neisha brings back his brother's jealousy and murderous rage, and any contact with water raises Rob's vengeful ghost. Heavy rains and a growing dampness increase this gritty working-class-British thriller's atmospheric menace, while Rob makes a chillingly psychopathic spirit.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(4)
YA
Numbers series.
In post-apocalyptic England, Adam's ability to read a person's death-date--their number--gets him captured by Saul, who steals others' numbers. If Adam won't cooperate, Saul will take Adam's girlfriend's number or his adopted daughter Mia's, leaving them to die. In this trilogy ender (Numbers; The Chaos), Ward doesn't create much new momentum, but plentiful action and high stakes will appease fans.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
(2)
YA
Numbers series.
Adam (Numbers), who can sense on what date people will die, alarmingly foresees thousands of deaths on "01012027." Meanwhile, he fights his growing attraction to Sarah, who has prophetic nightmares about him. Poignant characters balance gritty street talk and a tough demeanor against their tender and conscientious impulses. Readers propelled by the story's driving action will be gratified by the surprising resolution.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
May, 2011
(4)
YA
When Jem looks into someone's eyes, she sees a number. But knowing the exact date a person will die isn't exactly comforting. A prickly veteran of foster care, she befriends Spider, a fellow outcast. When Jem suspiciously flees a terrorist attack, they become fugitives. Plot contrivances mar this debut, but Ward's thoughtful exploration of two teens living on society's fringes is provocative.
Reviewer: Claire E. Gross
4 reviews
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