Fatal Charm (Book 5 in the "The Seer" series) by Linda Joy Singleton ©
2007 Llewellyn Worldwide ISBN 0-7387-1153-5 360 pages Paperback
$6.99 (U.S.) $7.50 (Canada)
I love it when a series picks up right where it left off, with no time
gap.
It makes it easier to get back into the rhythm of the story. Of course,
with Ms. Singleton's style, that isn't normally a problem for me. I
really
enjoy this series since the heroine, Sabine, is a true-to-life teen who
struggles with all the usual teen angst - boyfriend, family relation****ps,
schoolwork - with an added dimension of psychic awareness. She struggles
to
be accepted as "normal" while dealing with the consequences of being so
"different" that she is only open to a few close friends.
There are few authors who are producing quality fiction which is "New Age"
friendly, and Ms. Singleton is one of the better ones. The gods know that
young readers will be able to identify with Sabine Rose, the heroine of
this
series, even if they aren't psychic themselves. She suffers all the pains
and uncertainties shared by teenagers in general, amplified by being "the
new kid" and being sure that if anyone knew their "dark secret" they would
be rejected and even more outcast. And, of course, someone accepting you
is
a cause of even more paranoia.
Her stories have the feel of realism about them. Her heroines (all of her
major protagonists are female and empowering) don't run around the
neighborhood proclaiming their abilities. As teen girls they are more
concerned with fitting in than with standing out.
Sabine's grandmother's illness is progressing rapidly at the start of this
book. Fortunately Dominic has found the final clue to the hidden location
of a remedy book which will cure her (or at least hold the illness at
bay).
Now all they have to do is solve the riddle, find the book, and all will
be
right with the world.
Oh, but wait a moment.there is still the question of the red haired girl
who
calls Sabine's father "Daddy." Will her presence cause Sabine's mom and
dad
to get a divorce?
This is a well-crafted story (as are all of Ms. Singleton's works), which
works well for the age group (young adults ages 12 and up) it is aimed at.
It is moderately spooky, conveys some real-life messages without being
preachy, and is an enjoyable book to read. There are no great lessons to
be
learned, no huge surprises, just an enjoyable story with characters you
can
identify with and care about.
The plotline is kept relatively simple and the occult elements, although
slightly dark, are not overwhelming or oppressive. Sabine is, in most
ways,
a typical teen facing typical teen problems, the most im****tant of which
is
feeling that her problems are unique and would brand her as an outsider if
anyone else were to find out about them.
The most believable part of Sabine's life, besides an uncomfortable
relation****p with her mother; a confused feeling about her romantic life;
and an on-going attempt to fit in with her friends; is the fact that her
psychic abilities don't provide all the answers at once. She has to work
through hints, feelings, and impressions to find out who she is supposed
to
be helping and how she is supposed to provide that help.
As is usual with this series, there is no real resolution by the end of
the
book. In fact, if anything, there are more questions raised than
answered.
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