Monday, December 30, 2013

Chasing Shadows by Swati Avasthi –OPTIONAL

Avasthi, Swati  Chasing Shadows 320 pgs. Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2014(Jan). $17.99  Content: Language: PG (2 swears); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13.
Twins Corey and Holly are best friends with Savitri, who is also dating Corey. Together the three of them spend their time together, especially Freerunning (AKS Parkour). Just like their favorite superhero’s they run around Chicago jumping between buildings, climbing walls, and doing acrobatics. When a killer comes after them, everything changes, everything. They will have to reassess themselves, their relationships, and even their sanity.
I was so excited after reading the first chapter of this book. The text is interspersed with some graphic novel style parts. It was hip, fresh, amazing, and would be SO appealing to teens. Like I said, I was really excited. But then it got dark, dreary, with endless page on page of grief. Then things spiral down even worse through the stages of grief. I would pay this author to have just written some fun and interesting adventures with these same characters, instead of this downright depressing, long novel. I will keep my eyes open for future works by this author, her writing style is very unique and appealing to teens. 

HS –OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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