Release Date: June 22, 2010
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Paperback, 320 pages
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.
The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early
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My Review:
Shannon Delany's debut novel 13 to Life is well written and extremely character driven . She has introduced the players and has set us up for what is sure to be a wild and incredible ride.
What made this book truly enjoyable for me were the fantastic characters and the slow and realistic development of the relationship between the two main characters. The narrator of the story Jessica Gillmansen is a normal, well read teenager who's life has been touched by tragedy. When we meet Jess we learn that she is smart, funny, selfless and has a huge capacity for forgiveness. We also learn that she isn't easily pushed around and will stand up for herself when forced to. When Pietr Rusakova, the gorgeous new student with a soft Russian accent and a slight attitude is thrown into her life (by chance or perhaps by fate) sparks begin to fly. Assigned to be Pietr's guide, Jess quickly becomes irritated with his lack of interest in anything and how quickly her female classmates fall all over themselves to be near him. But as time goes on Jess can't deny how attracted she is to Pietr and that there is something special between them that draws them together.
Delany's other characters are as equally fascinating and well developed. The relationship between Sarah and Jess has a mystery all it's own and makes for a very interesting twist to the mystery surrounding the accident that took the life of Jessica's mother. There is just so much more to these character's than what meets the eye and the need to know their secrets and to solve their mysteries is what drove me to push through this novel as such a fast pace and also leaves me desperate for the next book Secrets and Shadows.
In short 13 to Life is a werewolf tale like no other. With mystery, romance and deep ties to Russian heritage, Shannon Delany has given us the start of an addicting, witty and fast-paced series which is sure to leave us all breathless in the end.
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