Horn Book (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

Rory discovers that her math teacher is a serial killer when he tries to murder her on her walk home from school. After evading him, she and her family are sent to Juniper Landing as part of the witness protection program. The killer follows. Halfway through, this suspenseful and exciting story, seemingly realistic, takes a turn into (frustratingly slow) fantasy.

School Library Journal (Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

Gr 8 Up-Rory Miller has just barely survived an attempt on her life. Her attacker, serial killer Steven Nell, is on the loose, so Rory, her father, and her sister must enter a witness-protection program. As the family begins a new life in the vacation town of Jupiter Landing, it appears as if this place could provide the fresh start they all need. Rory and Darcy have been at odds for years. They meet a group of popular teens and party on the beach, hike, and surf. Just as the Millers start to feel at home in their new town, one of their friends goes missing. Rory wonders if this is just a coincidence or if it has something to do with Steven Nell, and she notices that things are amiss in Jupiter Landing. One of the local guys lurks around where ever she goes. Then other people start disappearing, but Rory is the only person who notices. In an interesting ending, Shadowlands leaves readers surprised and eager for the next installment in the trilogy. Teens who like chick lit and bit of a mystery will enjoy this one. Shannon Seglin, formerly at Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA

Kirkus Reviews

Rory's life is turned upside down when she is attacked by a serial killer who has been posing as a math teacher at her school. The FBI informs the family that over the years, Mr. Nell has murdered 14 other girls and always escaped. He is even able to overcome the alarm system the FBI has rigged at Rory's house to leave a rose and a threatening message on Rory's bed. Quickly, the family is sent from New Jersey down the coast to a Southern resort island town. Along the way, Rory has a vivid nightmare that she, her father, her sister and the attacker are all killed violently. Life in Juniper Landing is partly delicious and partly frightening. It's full of gorgeous boys and girls who quickly make the acquaintance of Rory and her sister, Darcy, but there is no cell service or Internet, isolating them. The juxtaposition of reality against the dream world mirrors the alternation between Rory's account of events and short sections in which the killer describes his thoughts. These passages combine with the peculiarity of the town, its weather and a populace that is gradually disappearing to provide the ample goose bumps and chills required for the genre; it's suspenseful all the way up to its final, disappointing reveal. Suspend disbelief and it's a fun ride. (Horror. 11-16)

ALA Booklist (Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2013)

Brian's staple milieu ylish teens living soap opera worthy lives ts a supernatural twist in this uneven series opener. When Rory escapes a vicious killer, the FBI assures her they will catch him. In the meantime, she and her family are given new identities and sent to a secret location. They arrive in Juniper Landing, an idyllic vacation island, seemingly without incident, though Rory is troubled by nightmares of the killer murdering them on the road. Rory and her sister, Darcy, join a crew of insouciant, beautiful people who party all the time, but Rory senses something is wrong. People keep disappearing, and while she is sure the killer is responsible, everyone else seems suspiciously unconcerned. Many readers will figure out the paranormal twist long before the reveal, and while Brian builds a strong sense of menace, the abrupt ending leaves most of the interesting questions unanswered. Plot improbabilities, such as the stunning ineptitude of the FBI, and undifferentiated characters hamper what could have been a compelling mystery. Brian's fans will nevertheless find much of what they're looking for.