Enthralled

Gr 8 Up—The 16 short stories in this enticing anthology, written by today's most popular authors of paranormal teen fiction, showcase strong female protagonists (and a few guys) undergoing journeys both actual and spiritual. Readers will be happy to see familiar characters and settings from some of their favorite authors' novels. The selections feature ghosts, genies, harpies, faeries, necromancers, vampires, psychics, and Untouchables. In Carrie Ryan's "Scenic Route," set after "the Change," two teens living in a remote mountain cabin fight zombies and bandits while constantly dreaming about and planning their ideal road trip. Jessica Verday's lighthearted "At the Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show" features a kick-ass heroine battling cannibal Girl Scouts while trying to save defanged Rocky Horror-obsessed vampires after their car breaks down. Margaret Stohl's wryly funny "IV League" is about two not-so-bright "Drinkers" visiting East Coast Ivy League universities intent on getting admitted despite the fact that these institutions normally won't take "their kind." These consistently well-written stories offer something for every taste, whether it's dark, edgy, and violent or funny and sweet.—Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton