Kirkus Reviews

This intriguing, philosophical urban fantasy nimbly juggles such weighty topics as addiction, immortality and faith while keeping the tone light. Though underage, Nicole has a new job at New York club Evermore, where Zin, the leader of her breakdancing crew, also toils as a bartender. Zin is a kindred spirit and one of the few people to whom Nicole has confided the truth about her brother's meth addiction and the destruction it has wreaked on her family. She is dubbed "Raven" by her boss, who eventually reveals to her that her association with the club and its staff is no accident. The growing mutual attraction between Zin and Nicole is satisfyingly drawn out and the dialogue-driven narrative is exceedingly readable. Some characters are more developed than others; Nicole's parents, for instance, are somewhat wooden, though their heartbreak is palpable and provides balance for the more fantastical elements of the plot. Particularly enjoyable are the details, from the ongoing literary nods to Poe's avian ode to the descriptions of breaking moves. Amid the glut of supernatural romances, this one is original and engrossing. (Fantasy. 14 & up)

Voice of Youth Advocates

Nicole is a high school senior waitressing at one of New YorkÆs hottest nightspots. Nicknamed Raven, she also performs with a break group that routinely battles rival dance teams at the club. The groupÆs leader is Zin, whose striking good looks and awesome talent leave her breathless. Raven knows the attraction is mutualùôlike magnet to metalöùand yet, Zin seems unwilling to take the next step. Meanwhile RavenÆs drug-addicted brother is wreaking havoc on the home front. She tries to avoid this heart-wrenching situation by focusing on her dancing and trying to win over Zinùuntil an event occurs that ultimately leads Raven to question everything she thought to be true, including her own spiritual mortality. Van Diepen fans should be advised that this novel is somewhat of a departure from the gritty realism depicted in the authorÆs Snitch (Simon Pulse/S & S, 2007/VOYA February 2008) and Street Pharm (2006/VOYA February 2007). Given the nocturnal goings on, one would think that this story is surely about vampires. Instead the author introduces the somewhat less appealing notion of the Jiang Shi (walking dead) that live on souls instead of blood. For this reason, it is difficult to like or dislike many of the secondary characters, as they tend to continually fall into troublesome shades of gray. Told from the female perspective, this book will probably appeal more to girls than boys. Nevertheless the male characters are fairly well defined and, with a little coaxing, could provide an interesting read to both genders.ùJudith Brink-Drescher.

School Library Journal (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Gr 8 Up-Nicole, a high school senior, falls in love with Zin the first time she sees him dance at a New York City club. But Zin is keeping a terrible secret, one that won't allow him to love her, or any mortal, for he is a Jiang Shi, one of a select few who have survived for centuries by absorbing the souls of the dying. So now Nicole must decide whether to be turned or to live out her mortal life. But immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be. And even the Jiang Shi have enemies. The romantic tension builds steadily as Nic's soulful relationship with Zin gains momentum and she is confronted with the startling realities of his existence. Peppered with sometimes strong language and vivid descriptions of the moves performed by the Toprocks (the break-dancing group to which she and Zin both belong), Nic's narration is believable, honest, and riveting. This darkly compelling read will find a niche with teens who like their fantasy well seasoned with the gritty reality of life, from the glitzy flash of the club scene to the darker, crueler side of survival on the streets. Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2009)

Nicole's already hectic life juggling senior year, break-dance battles, her part-time job at hot club Evermore, and her devastating home situation only becomes more turbulent when she discovers her crush on fellow breaker Zin is mutual. A unique multicultural spin on Zin's supernatural secret, together with speculation on the line between good and evil, invigorates the story's familiar fantasy tropes.