Book Review: Thirteen Days to Midnight

Author: Patrick Carman
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 5, 2011)
ISBN-10: 0316004049
ISBN-13: 978-0316004046

Synopsis:

You are indestructible. These are the words that transfer an astonishing power to Jacob Fielding... and it changes everything. After all, there's something addictive about testing the limits of fear, experiencing the thrill of walking through fire, or saving your friend from a beating in front of the whole school.

Then Ophelia James, the beautiful and daring new girl in town, suggests that they use the power to do good, to save others at risk of death. But with every heroic act, the power grows into the specter of a curse. How to decide who lives and who dies? And why does darkness seem to be chasing them? Jacob only has thirteen days to figure out how to harness this terrifying power... and the answer is chilling: What if he has to kill the one he loves to save her?

In the context of a dark, unconventional superhero story, Patrick Carman has envisioned a high concept tale of intrigue, romance, friendship and adventure that probes deep into what teens face as they enter young adult years: navigating increasingly complex choices with greater consequences, as well as the gray areas blurring the definitions of right and wrong.

My Take:

Jacob Fielding survives a car accident, but was passed a gift from his guardian just before he died that makes Jacob indestructible. He soon discovers he can pass it to others too but only one person can have it at a time. But is this super power really a curse?

Thirteen Days To Midnight explores this question, as he and his friends survive daring feats without a scratch. But as they cheat Death time and again, they notice Ophelia, Jacob's crush, is fading into a dark shell of herself and is becoming more and more possessive of the gift. And although the become super heroes in saving people, they never stop to consider the consequences of when they succeed. The only way they can set Ophelia free from herself is to kill her. But do they have the guts to do it?

This book is lower-teen but still an interesting read.

MY RATING

~ Signing off and sending out cyber hugs.