Kill Me Softly

Gr 8 Up—When Mirabelle runs away from her godmothers to Beau Rivage, the city where she was born, she hopes to discover answers about her parents' tragic death. Instead, she finds a group of unusual teenagers, each with a fairy-tale curse. In this strange seaside city, scenarios from fairy tales are played out over and over, and Mira has her own part in the drama: she's a "Somnolent," doomed to prick her finger and fall into an enchanted sleep like Sleeping Beauty. The problem is she's not interested in the charming (but slightly boring) "prince" who is fated to be her romantic counterpart. Mira is much more attracted to suave, handsome Felix, who bears a curse he can't, or won't, explain to her. Felix's brother Blue repeatedly warns Mira that Felix is a danger to her, but Mira is sure that the magical patterns can be broken. When she finally uncovers Felix's gruesome secret, she must find a way to turn her own curse into a means of escape. Mira is a likable heroine who is strong enough to buck the dangerous and strange situation she finds herself caught in. This novel has elements of tales from Grimm, Perrault, and Andersen, including familiar stories as well as some that aren't well-known. This modern fairy-tale mash-up will appeal to fans of urban fantasy and is a solid choice for any collection.—Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH