There's no sign of series fiction for young adults fading away, and as librarians, we know that getting teens hooked is a sure way to guarantee we'll see them again soon. Non-sequential series, like "Stoker and Holmes," make it easier for casual readers to discover a great book, though hard-core fans may prefer a series like "The Sententia," where each new volume builds on the last. Of Scars & Stardust, from debut author Andrea Hannah, is a stand-alone title, and based on the teen reviewer's enthusiasm, it hearkens a long career from this new voice. Bertrand, Cara. Second Thoughts. (The Sententia: Bk. 2). Luminis. Oct. 2014. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781935462125. Gr 7 Up—Lainey Young is used to seeing death; it comes with the territory when you're a Grim Diviner and the last Hangman. But she gets the shock of her life when she envisions her own demise and realizes that her boyfriend Carter has something to do with it. In order to save herself, Lainey must work against the clock to get control of her new powers and find out who is really behind her impending murder. After reading the first book and loving it, I was ready for a little more action in the second book. I thought that it would move away from the backstory a bit and focus in on the plot. Unfortunately, the story kind of meandered along, with a few big plot points thrown in every once in a while just to keep it going. At the end, everything is thrown at you at once and you aren't really given a chance to take in all the suspense. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to look for the next book and I still fell hook, line, and sinker for the somewhat cheesy love story, but  I'm pinning my hopes for better action and plot on the next one. The love story can be a bit too adorable at times, but it's realistic enough that you'd wish something similar for yourself. The cutesy, aww moments are well-balanced by the level-headed decisions that the two make as a couple. Highschoolers who are fans of the "Wings" series (HarperCollins) by Aprilynne Pike will enjoy this book.—Alexis C., age 18

Gleason, Colleen. The Spiritglass Charade. (A Stoker and Holmes Novel: Bk. 2). Chronicle. Oct. 2014. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9781452110714. Gr 7-12—Sleuths Miss Stoker and Miss Holmes are at it again when Princess Alexandra sends them on their newest mission. What seems like a simple case quickly becomes dangerous when vampires and La Société de la Perdition come to England. Evaline and Mina must test the limits of their abilities in order to solve the case and save the ones they care about. This book was a great follow-up to The Clockwork Scarab (Chronicle, 2013). Mina and Evaline are as great a duo as ever, and with the addition of vampires, we get to see just how far their skills really extend. This book has a fast-paced plot, and with the completely unrelated mysteries between the first book and the second, it's reminiscent of the old Sherlock Holmes titles and even Carolyn Keene's "Nancy Drew" books. Though the face of the antagonist changed, you still get to see all of your favorite characters from the first book and root on whichever love interest you want the girls to end up with. Though perhaps a bit less captivating than the first in the series, this book is definitely worth the time. This book has taken several well known and strictly defined genres and spun them together to make something new and exciting. All of the literary allusions give it a classic feel, but the steampunk vibe and romantic subplot give it a modern twist. The witty camaraderie between the girls and the vivid scenery of this whimsical world will keep readers enthralled for hours. If Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sherlock Holmes ever met, this book would be the result. If you loved "Nancy Drew" or "The Hardy Boys" as a kid, you're going to love this sci-fi/fantasy mystery series.—Alexis C., age 18

Hannah, Andrea. Of Scars and Stardust. Flux. Oct. 2014. pap. $9.99. ISBN 978-0738740829. Gr 7 Up—Claire Graham is haunted by the wolves that hurt her sister, the wolves that no one else believes in. After being sent away after the tragedy, Claire returns to her small-town home carrying two things: the bird her sister Ella made for her, and the baggage of intense guilt and fear from the wolves. She returns because her sister has disappeared, and she is positive that the 'wolves' have taken her. As Claire searches for her beloved sister with her friend Grant, the wolves haunt her, and threaten to take everything away from her. This is the type of book that will keep you up at night, from wanting to read more, not necessarily because you are so scared you can't sleep (I kind of really hate those books, so this was a really nice alternative). It was intense and incredibly written. Hannah paints such clear (and sometimes haunting) images, the story lets you enter Claire's mind. I loved it. I was constantly on the edge of my seat, needing to keep reading as much as possible. It was very suspenseful, never a moment of rest, but it did not exhaust me either (which was good writing, I think). I connected to the characters and could not quite figure out who was what and what was real. It was a guessing game—a guessing game in which I loved the main characters and was submerged in the wintery world they lived in. Fans of YA who enjoy a mystery, a psychological thriller, with a tiny touch of a love story will like Of Scars & Stardust.—Emma, age 18