| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that this page-turning mystery features three murders -- and the protagonist wonders if she was victim of more than one murder in her various past lives. The book romanticizes love at first sight, and there is talk about sex and desire -- though nothing teen readers will be shocked by. There are also frequent sexual innuendos that come from Haven's homosexual best friend, Beau. This book explores themes of identity, faith, and the afterlife: Haven is raised to believe that Christianity is the only true faith until circumstances encourage her to explore the possibility of reincarnation. Readers also will get messages about staying true to yourself: Haven is a respectful and independent girl, who, while treated like an outsider, continues to believe in herself.
Haven Moore is a high school senior in a small Christian Tennessee town. At a very young age she begins to have visions of people and places that she has never seen before. Her grandmother is convinced that she is possessed by demons and spends her days praying for Haven's soul to be healed. Feeling alone and lost in her community, Haven decides to go to New York in quest for Ethan, the boy from her visions. There she meets people from the Ouroboros Society who help her trace her life back to 44 BC. And, if that's not enough plot for you, then there are the three murder mysteries she investigates...
Kristen Miller's imagination is alluring and very entertaining. She has created likable characters and suspenseful events that keep the reader hooked and excited for more. THE ETERNAL ONES is rich with a mixture of literary genres that will appeal to some, but come across as scatter-brained and confusing to others. Although the theme of chivalric love and a single soul mate for eternity may cause some to roll their eyes, the way in which Miller utilizes mystery, romance, satire, and fantasy offers something for everyone. The open ending invites reader imagination -- and possible sequels.
Families can talk about how this book is being marketed. How did you find out about it? You can watch a video preview for it on Amazon, where you can also download an excerpt to read. If you were the publisher and trying to get teens to read this book, what would you do?
Have you seen any other creative campaigns for books that use social
networking, mobile, or any other modern method to connect to young
readers?
For parents and teachers who want to delve more into the plot: How
is Hollywood portrayed in this book? Do Haven and Beau rely too much on
gossip magazines and television shows for factual information? Is their
interest in gossip media an accurate depiction of teens today? If so,
what are the potential problems?
| Author: | Kristen Miller |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | Razorbill |
| Publication date: | August 10, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 432 |
| Hardcover price: | $12.23 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |