Arcadia Falls

Gr 8 Up—In the final installation of his "Arcadia" trilogy, Meyer exhibits unusual skill as he deftly combines the fantasy, mythology, and Mafioso genres, while balancing a dizzying array of characters in a complex plot. The novel opens with Rosa and Alessandro attending Fundling's funeral. The star-crossed lovers (feuding Mafia families and opposing shape-shifting animals) decide to uncover the truth of their friend's death. Soon thereafter, Rosa and Alessandro find themselves kidnapping a police officer in order to track down a mad scientist. They are on the run from their respective families, the law, and a recently released capo dei capi. On this crazy journey, the pair encounter shape-shifters, hybrids (half-human, half-animal), and Mafia hitmen. Although armed with guns, our heros are hesitant to use them; they rely on shape-shifting to defend themselves. In the tradition of vampire stories, blood is slightly eroticized but the sexual tension is not acted upon. There are flirtations with mature subjects and a sprinkling of a few choice words. Unfortunately, well-drawn characters are sometimes a casualty of novels thick with action, and this is no exception. Arcadia Falls is rife with soap opera drama: evil twins, a mad scientist, cloning experiments, and a sacrificial sealing. For those new to the trilogy, this novel stands on its own. For fans of the series, this should prove a satisfying conclusion.—Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX