Review by Booklist Review
In 1885 Sacramento, 17-year-old twin sisters Edie and Violet are traveling Spiritualist mediums who play at summoning spirits for money. Daughters of a fire-and-brimstone preacher and a true medium mother, they have the combined power to actually summon and speak with spirits of the departed; spirits, however, are unpredictable at best, so the girls fake every séance. After their mother's death in the Veil and their father's promise to save their souls, running away was their only choice, though it has led Edie to look over her shoulder constantly. Violet, more interested in boys and fancy dresses, still doesn't know about the circumstance of their mother's death a year before. It's a boy---journalist Everett Laws--who threatens to bring the whole sham down upon them when he starts asking questions of the other mediums. Based on the author's actual ancestors, this is a fun historical fantasy with an edge of creepy chiller.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Twin mediums Edie and Violet Bond, 17, investigate their mother's mysterious death in Glaze's chilling historical fantasy debut, set in 1885 Sacramento. The close-knit siblings perform as part of a sensationalist spiritual tour, concealing their true powers behind stagecraft and sleight of hand. Violet, once an aspiring actress, channels patrons' loved ones, while suffragette Edie, who can cross the veil between life and death, delivers politically charged lectures under the guise of invoking "great dead thinkers." Edie has been researching their medium mother's death, which seems to connect to the disappearance of numerous other women mediums. Reporter Lawrence Everett's arrival threatens to expose the sisters' secrets, but he proves a useful ally when Edie's investigation takes a dangerous turn. Glaze unflinchingly addresses themes of gender and social inequity in 19th-century America, with Edie using her powers to push back against the restrictions, biases, and laws meant to control and oppress women and marginalized people. The social commentary is explored against a vividly eerie setting, while the central supernatural mystery, infused with elements of romance and action, propels the plot toward a haunting climax. An author's note details Glaze's inspiration. Characters read as white. Ages 12--17. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--In this exhilarating historical fantasy, 17-year-old twins Edie and Violet work to find, bind, and banish a malevolent spirit that's been preying on vulnerable women in late 19th-century Sacramento. Although the twins can cross into death, Edie and Violet use their stage-time at their traveling Spiritualist show to cultivate their non-supernatural talents--theatrical Violet enacts spirit-possession, while Edie "channels" the spirit of Benjamin Franklin to argue for women's rights. But when fellow mediums start disappearing, Edie tracks them to the closed doors of a sinister asylum. To get inside, she teams up with Lawrence, a young, muckraking journalist. There is much to enjoy as Edie falls in love, deals with Violet's growing independence, and faces an unexpected source of the predatory "shadow." Edie's ventures into death are reminiscent of Garth Nix's Sabriel, while still being original. The action is fast-paced and thrilling, with rich historical detail. In her debut, Glaze touches on abortion rights, the suffrage movement, the history of psychiatric medicine, and the female empowerment of the Spiritualist movement, all while keeping the plot racing and giving Edie, Violet, and Lawrence emotional room for growth. This is a novel where an intelligent, resourceful heroine scores points for justice, then gets to keep her sister, the boy, and her career. VERDICT By turns fun and terrifying, this suspenseful historical adventure hits all the sweet spots on sisterhood, the supernatural, and budding romance.--Katherine Magyarody
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
It's 1885, and runaway twins join a traveling group of mediums after fleeing their extremist minister father to avoid being placed in an asylum. Seventeen-year-old Edie and Violet Bond were born identical with green eyes and auburn hair, but over time, Edie's hair has become nearly white. Their mother died under mysterious circumstances a year ago, and each sister has some of her innate spiritual abilities: Edie is able to cross the Veil between life and death, while Violet channels spirits. Mr. Huddle, the head of their traveling group of Spiritualists, has them performing in Sacramento, California, where the woman who organized the Women's Suffrage Association is causing a stir by fighting for equality. Misogyny abounds as women are being locked up in asylums for baseless reasons by their "male guardians"--fathers, husbands, or brothers. Edie displays delightful moxie, performing trance lectures on stage and using this platform to preach equality under the guise of channeling Benjamin Franklin and other male thinkers. When the father they escaped turns up in an unexpected place, the sisters uncover horrible truths. The atmospheric and haunting tone feels ominous as the twins encounter things they can't quite explain, while the plot intensifies as Edie holds back secrets from Violet that could have devastating consequences. The timely, gripping themes of sisterhood and fighting misogyny will resonate. Characters default to White. An impressive and eerie debut that will keep readers looking over their shoulders. (author's note) (Paranormal thriller. 12-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
