This Wicked Game

September 30, 2013
Voodoo New Orleans is the real star of Zink’s (A Temptation of Angels) would-be thriller—a somewhat Disneyfied New Orleans without Katrina, crime, or poverty, but lush with gardens, formal balls, and ancient guilds, of which Claire Kincaid is part. She’s a descendant of the infamous Marie Leveau, but Claire thinks voodoo is a scam. She hates working in her family business, purveying voodoo paraphernalia (ordered through wholesale supply for a select clientele), and can’t wait to turn 18 and get to college. It’s hard to connect with Claire—she has no serious enemies, her boyfriend is gorgeous and attentive, and her biggest issue seems to be hiding their relationship, which she thinks is necessary because... well, just because. It’s almost a relief when sinister stalkers show up, with nefarious intent not only toward Claire but her whole generation of Guild inheritors. The plot is slow to gather momentum, and readers may secretly hope Xander dumps his voodoo princess for a more appreciative girl, but at least there’s New Orleans. Ages 12–up. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

October 1, 2013
With this foray into secret voodoo societies and forbidden spells, Zink delivers an enjoyable, fast-paced ride perfect for lovers of the paranormal thriller. Seventeen-year-old Claire Kincaid doesn't believe in voodoo. Not that unusual a stance, really, unless you are a direct descendant of Marie Leveau and the only daughter of one of the most powerful couples in an underground New Orleans voodoo guild. But when a mysterious stranger walks into the Kincaid store in search of panther's blood--an ingredient used only to kill--a series of events begins to unfold that will challenge everything Claire thinks she knows about voodoo, the Guild and her own latent abilities. Exhibiting characteristically teenage frustration with their parents, who reign stolidly over Guild affairs, Claire, her boyfriend, Xander, and some other Guild firstborns take the investigation into their own hands. They find an ally in ex-member Crazy Eddie and together delve into the darker side of voodoo in order to defeat those out to destroy the Guild in retribution for past injuries. The plot is suspenseful, the characters are sympathetic if not fully rounded, and the fictional subculture comes alive through detailed descriptions of the New Orleans setting, particularly the Garden District. Fans of the paranormal, sure to be spellbound by this tale of revenge and teen rebellion, will hope Zink conjures up a sequel. (Paranormal thriller. 12-16)

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December 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Claire Kincaid, 17, resents working in her family's voodoo supply shop. She has always eschewed her heritage-she's a descendant of Marie Leveau, a famed voodoo priestess in New Orleans. Claire finally turns to magic for answers once a series of break-ins threatens her friends, all firstborn children of prominent voodoo families. The action takes place in the weeks before the Priestesses' Ball, an exclusive promlike gathering. This post-Katrina mystery uncovers family secrets that have been festering for a generation. Fearing their parents' disapproval, Claire wants to keep her relationship with Xander, the son of prominent Guild leaders, secret. They arrange a series of break-ins of their own to discover what the mysterious woman purchasing dangerous magical items from their voodoo shops and exiled Guild member "Crazy Eddie" have been hiding. Using information obtained while in a dream state, and aided by some incredibly lucky coincidences, Claire ends up fighting off a ring of black-magic users who want to use her charmed blood for evil. Teens looking for mystery with a hint of the paranormal will enjoy this fast-paced story.-Madigan McGillicuddy, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Atlanta, GA

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
New Orleans teen Claire may be a non-believer when it comes to voodoo, but as a descendent of a renowned voodoo queen, she finds herself the target of a dangerous vendetta. Unable to rely on the voodoo Guild for help, Claire and other first-borns investigate on their own, exploring darker voodoo territory. Well-paced slightly paranormal entertainment with a knockout setting.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)