Flicker & Burn

Gr 9 Up—In this sequel to Cold Fury (Putnam, 2012), Sara Jane Rispoli is being hunted by "ice cream creatures," androgynous, red-eyed beings that travel the streets of Chicago dispensing frozen treats to children; they are intent on capturing Sara Jane, but she has no idea why. She is desperately searching for her missing family and hopes that the answer to finding them lies in the pages of Volta, the last chapter of a notebook written by her great-grandfather in an obscure Italian dialect. The book belongs to the Outfit, a mafialike organization. Sara Jane is also trying to understand and gain control of "ghiaccio furioso," her ability to call up the cold fury that makes the Rispolis an invaluable asset to the Outfit. With the help of a friend, she is able to determine the revenge-fueled motives of the man directing her pursuers. The protagonist concludes that if she can find him, she'll discover where her family is being held. She realizes that he is after the gene that controls ghiaccio furioso and will keep her family hostage until he can obtain enough of her blood to control the power it provides. Sara Jane's willingness to do whatever she feels is necessary to free her family, including increasing her distasteful involvement with the Outfit, makes her a flawed heroine. The ever-thickening plot, heart-racing action, and gory details will keep the pages turning.—Cary Frostick, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA