Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Teenager Liv Hall navigates paranormal prophecies and government surveillance alongside relatable adolescent tribulations in this thrilling YA debut by Womack (The Time Collector, for adults). Upon moving into her late grandfather's house in Hyde Park, N.Y., Liv and her visiting friends--including distractingly handsome Jaxon, for whom Liv has spent two months pining--discover a box in the attic containing letters addressed to the Premonitions Bureau, a defunct paranormal investigation organization. They soon learn that much of the correspondence, which contains predictions of the future that turned out to be true, were penned by psychics who went missing shortly after writing them. Liv's friends post about letters on social media, resulting in the teens being targeted by a shady government group intent on repressing widespread knowledge of psychics. A secret from Jaxon's past throws everything into disarray, and as Liv and her friends seek answers, they struggle to stay ahead of their pursuers. Though their personal connections and challenges are thinly developed, the personalities of the large, mostly white-cued cast jump off the page. Taut pacing keeps the action moving across various twists and turns, while an inventive premise and a climactic resolution make for a satisfying supernatural adventure. Ages 13--up. Agent: Alec Shane, Writers House. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--When Liv and her friends discover boxes labeled "Do Not Open" in her deceased grandfather's attic, curiosity prevails and the high school juniors find themselves elbow-deep in mysterious letters written by the Oracle of Delphi, Mad Merlin, and Nostradamus to The Premonitions Bureau--letters that predicted future events, and many came true! Nebony, the most popular cheerleader at Roosevelt High, jumps on an opportunity to boost her social media profile; her selfies go viral, reaching the powerful secret organizations that tried to keep the letters under wraps, which puts the teens and their families in jeopardy. Decades prior, their parents were part of a study about preternatural abilities that evolved into an operation to use psychics as weapons and ended with the development of an AI assassin. The teens inherited their parents' abilities and the danger that threatens to eradicate them. Part supernatural thriller, part coming-of-age romance, this YA debut delves into the complexities of adolescent relationships while engrossing readers in a fast-paced, intricately plotted quest featuring a large cast of authentic and introspective characters. Chapters are told from various perspectives, and each teen is struggling with personal issues that are unique and relatable; these include the loss of a parent, emotional and physical abuse, self-acceptance, social isolation, sexual orientation, and learning disabilities. The book concludes with a guide about premonitions and divination. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Stranger Things, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes's The Inheritance Games who relish conspiracy theories, weird phenomena, slow-burn romances, and tearful family reunions.--Rebecca Jung
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A mysterious stash of old letters containing psychics' predictions leads a group of teens into adventure. Liv Hall is on a mission. Her grandfather has died, and before the lawyers come to clear out his house in Hyde Park, New York, she wants to go through his belongings. If it requires the help of cute neighbor Forester Torres; Nebony Price, his ex-girlfriend; and Jaxon Coleson, Liv's crush, so be it. The gang, including Liv's childhood friend Winnie Scott, discover boxes hidden in the attic, marked "DO NOT OPEN." They're all from the Premonitions Bureau, a paranormal research organization that closed in 1993. Inside they find 25 years' worth of letters from psychics containing thousands of predictions, some of which came true. This discovery places the teens on the radar of dangerous people with a strong interest in obtaining the letters. Thriller author Womack's YA debut is a rollicking, secret-filled ride. Liv and Jaxon's budding relationship is thoughtfully developed even as Jaxon comes to terms with his psychic powers and Liv discovers hers. The plot, which unfolds through multiple points of view, is twisty and engaging. Readers will enjoy guessing what happens next as the teens race to change the future, and the reveals are surprising but well supported. Larger questions of fate, governmental control, and the consequences of psychic powers give the story weight and meaning. The minimally described characters largely present white. An entertaining and thoughtful page-turner with a dash of romance.(Paranormal. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
