Marvelous (Books of Marvella Book 1)

From the Back Cover A dark evil lurks in the little town of Appleton.What would you do if your girlfriend believed she had to die to stop it?Brandon has never met anyone like Marvel Garcia. She?s beautiful, smart, and shining with a faith and joy unlike any he?s ever experienced. But why won?t she go out with him? As the mystery behind her tragic past begins to unravel, it takes the whole summer for Marvel to trust Brandon and reveal her destiny. Did God really speak to Marvel? Is it true that she?s destined to die before she graduates?and save others from great evil? Does she have anything to do with the terrible things that are already happening in their town? And most important, can Brandon do anything at all to save her?Watch for the next titles in the Books of Marvella series: Wonder, Awe, and Glory. pending From School Library Journal Gr 7-10-Thrasher is known for writing about teens dealing with less than perfect circumstances. In Marvelous, Brandon is coping with an abusive alcoholic father and too-busy-to-notice mother. When Marvel enters his life, her upbeat quirkiness and the air of mystery captivate him. Unfortunately, her character is never very well developed beyond her 1970s-style clothing and unwavering devotion to God. The record-store setting and music references (there are playlists in the back of the book, which include everything from Justin Timberlake to The Smiths) add a little hipness to an otherwise standard summer vacation murder mystery. While the book may not appeal to typical YA readers, this is a solid purchase, especially where Christian fiction is popular.-Sarah Jones, Clinton-Macomb Public Library, MI