Oxblood

July 25, 2016
In this exciting, if believability-stretching thriller from Grant, author of the self-published Lake series, Victoria “Vic” Asher, 20, eschewed college to work in a diner while her academically minded older brother, Gil, chose law school. Now he’s in Italy for a six-month exchange program. Or so Vic assumes, until she receives one of Gil’s private notebooks, a clue that something is terribly wrong; she soon learns that there is no exchange program, and Gil is missing. Dropping everything and flying to Rome—using settlement money from her parents’ untimely death in a plane crash—Vic conveniently runs into a handsome and tight-lipped British Interpol agent, Ian Hale, who tries to persuade her that there’s too much danger ahead. Vic is tougher than she looks, and sparks predictably fly between the two as she is (too easily) taken under the wing of Ian’s secret Rogue-14 team. Chase scenes through scenic Italian towns and earnest discussions about feelings don’t always gel, but the breezy thrills of this series opener should whet readers’ appetite for future installments. Ages 14–up. Agent: Italia Gandolfo, Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management.

June 15, 2016
Victoria Asher, 20, leads an uneventful life in Miami, working at a diner and celebrating her birthday eating pie and ice cream with her best friend--but when she receives an ominous package from her brother, Gil, her entire world shifts.The young white woman immediately flies to Italy, where Gil was supposed to be on a research trip. In her search for him, Vic becomes embroiled in a mission with Rogue-14, a secret branch of INTERPOL led by the charming Ian Hale, a white Brit. Vic adapts to gunfights and espionage too quickly for credibility, and, for a group of elite secret agents, the team embraces her surprisingly quickly, welcoming her to the fold without many questions. Still, the characters' skills and personalities play well against each other. Vic's incredible talent for observation is invaluable as she helps R-14 catch the criminals her brother was investigating. The dialogue becomes quite expository when characters uncover clues or reveal back stories, but otherwise the pacing will pull readers along. An ill-conceived joke about gender reassignment mars the otherwise genial and quick-witted tone of the book. This fast-paced spy novel has just the right amount of international intrigue and danger; a touch of romance is a sweet bonus. (Thriller. 16 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2016

Gr 9 Up-Victoria Asher is a clever young teen living in a way too small and mundane world. Her life is pretty ordinary, until one day some remarkable occurrences change everything. Vic struggles daily with the death of her parents. It doesn't help that her brother is halfway around the globe trying to find his path. She loves him and wants him to follow his dream, but when she receives a mysterious package from him with a foreboding message, she knows something is wrong. The teen takes it upon herself to locate her only remaining relative. As she follows the clues that he has left for her, she begins to unearth secrets that her brother never told her. Vic has been dealt a hard hand in life, but she doesn't let that get her down. Even as she comes across more and more bad news, the young woman decides to embark on an incredible journey away from her ordinary life in order to track down her brother. While on this journey, she learns her true purpose. This book is slightly verbose for reluctant readers, but the story is heavily plot driven and exciting for anyone looking for a good mystery thriller. VERDICT This page-turner, full of international adventure, mystery, and intrigue, is an excellent choice for avid readers.-Caitlin Wilson, Brooklyn Public Library

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.