Manifest

August 16, 2010
In Arthur's first YA novel, which kicks off the Mystyx series, 15-year-old Krystal Bentley is coping with her parents' divorce, a move from New York City to the Connecticut hinterlands, a hostile stepfather—and ghosts. They follow her, beg for her help, and give her screaming nightmares. It isn't until she is approached by Sasha and Jake, two of her new classmates, that she can even imagine there might be others who are trying to make sense of untellable secrets. But while the three share their knowledge, paranormal abilities (Sasha can teleport, and Jake has superhuman strength), and a mysterious "M" birthmark, more is needed to make these strangers into friends. Arthur has uneven control over the pacing and voice of her narrative, and the world-building may cause some eye rolling (cliques at Krystal's new school include the wealthy "Richies" and "Trackers" who live "past the railroad tracks"). But the flaws in her technique do not obscure the deeply felt difficulties of Krystal's situation and her struggles with the "grown folks' business" that threaten to overwhelm her. Ages 13–up.

July 15, 2010
New Yorker Krystal, 15, moves to her mother's hometown of Lincoln, Conn., after her parents divorce. She befriends Ricky, who is a great potential boyfriend save for the fact that he's been dead for a year. Ricky asks Krystal to help him solve his murder with her ghost-whispering skills. At school, Krystal befriends Jake and Sasha, who bear M-shaped birthmarks identical to Krystal's and have supernatural abilities of their own. The three discover they're part of a long legacy of Lincoln residents with superpowers, and they band together in an attempt to find a cyberstalker. In tracking the sender of the threatening text messages, Krystal discovers the true identity of Ricky's killer. This smart, well-paced paranormal mystery resolves one plot while opening the door for a continuing Mystyx series. Krystal is likable but sometimes a little too self-aware for complete credibility; still, this is an auspicious opener. Krystal and her fellow Mystyx are all people of color, adding a dimension of diversity too rarely seen in the genre. (Paranormal mystery. YA)

(COPYRIGHT (2010) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

September 1, 2010

Gr 7 Up-This story has many of the elements that readers enjoy: three attractive teens, romance, and mystery. Best of all, it has two teen ghosts who can't cross over to the other side until a murder is solved. All of this makes for a quick, rewarding read. Krystal, Sasha, and Jake are African-American teens with normal adolescent issues, but with the added burden of having superpowers that they have not yet learned to control. Krystal, around whom the story revolves, can see, hear, and speak to the dead, which is why Ricky Watson, murdered and dead for a year, contacts her. Jake has superhuman strength, and Sasha has the power to disappear. Together, they form the Mystyx. Each character is called upon to fight a menacing evil that grows stronger each day. Manifest is the first in a series, and teens will be interested in finding out what happens next.-Carol Jones Collins, Hanover Park High School, East Hanover, NJ

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2010
Grades 7-11 Fifteen-year-old African American Krystal is angry and wounded after her parents recent divorce, which her mother wont explain: Thats grown folks business. After moving from New York City to small Lincoln, Connecticut, Krystal is miserable until she begins to receive visitations from Ricky, the ghost of a murdered teenager who wants Krystal to uncover the truth behind his death. Then two students at school reveal that they share Krystals unusual M-shaped birthmark, a sign that they all possess secret powers: Sashas is teleportation, and Jakes is telekinesis. After Krystal reveals Rickys story and her own abilities as a medium, the three unlikely friends join forces to expose Rickys murderer and discover a potent, shapeless evil force along the way. Some of the scenes and dialogue have a campy, teen-movie feel. Still, this start to the Mystyx series will draw readers who enjoy fast-paced, supernatural mysteries with romantic intrigue, and the IM messages, slang, and culturally diverse characters add contemporary appeal. Its the realistic tensions between Krystal and her parents, though, that may stay with readers most.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)