Bound

June 1, 2012
Mo must play all sides, magical and mob, in this complex trilogy conclusion. Mo's a double agent, working for her uncle, Billy, in his restaurant and passing on fake information to the Russian mob boss who believes Mo to be in his pocket. It's part of the deal she's made to keep her boyfriend and bodyguard Colin alive (one of many secrets she keeps from Colin). She's also continuing to give information to Jenny Kowalski for her to pass on to an investigation of the mob outfit. Complicating matters is Mo's father's early return from prison and quick embrace of Billy and the mob, leading to a strained father-daughter relationship. Mo's worlds collide when Billy catches the leader of the Seraphim, Anton, sending Darklings after her--Billy thinks magic is his new secret weapon. Anton, still looking to destabilize magic and create a new order, thinks Mo knows something about magic's nature that can help him--and she does. The Quartoren, already proven untrustworthy to Mo, needs her to keep away from Anton and stay with them in a display of strength while they fill the council vacancy, after which the leadership structure will be much more solid against Anton's schemes. Jam-packed with meaty storylines, spot-on pacing, an active heroine and the strongest romance yet, this ending will thrill fans of the series. (discussion questions) (Paranormal romance. 13 & up)

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January 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-Maura Fitzgerald, a 17-year-old tangled up in the dirty dealings of the Chicago Mob, is torn between her Flat (human) life and her role as the Vessel of magic. Half of Mo's life is trying to balance her status as a double agent, passing information to the Russian Mob for her Uncle Billy while working to put him behind bars. In her other life, Mo is the focus of a war between the Arcs and Seraphim, as her relationship with magic is more intimate than anyone suspects. Meanwhile, she is swept up in a complex love triangle with handsome Colin, a victim of paternal abuse and Mo's bodyguard, and Luc, heir to the Arc's house of fire. In addition to the destiny vs. freedom-of-choice conflict being overly superimposed on the plot, Mo's martyr syndrome becomes tiresome, and the prolonged ending leaves naught to the imagination. O'Rourke's exposition is choppy, the rules of written dialogue are sometimes ignored, and transitions between scenes are minimal to nonexistent, all of which force readers to backpedal through the mayhem. This conclusion to the trilogy is mildly entertaining, though it lacks luster in the great sea of YA paranormal romance.-Jamie-Lee Schombs, Loyola School, New York City

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