The Heavens Rise by Christopher Rice

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The Heavens Rise

by Christopher Rice

 

 

The Heavens Rise is a story about a young couple who in a fit of passion take a dip in the wrong pool.  Infested by a parasite, both discover a newfound power.  While Nikki uses her power for good, Marshall is intent on ruining everyone he feels has wronged him.

 

Although the story is both compelling and frightening, the narrative is often disjointed.  During many of the action scenes, I felt myself becoming lost as to what was happening.  It could be that I was reading too fast, or maybe I was unable to picture things as they unfolded.

 

Told from the perspective of the different characters, The Heavens Rise is set in New Orleans.  The story starts pre-Katrina and the post-Katrina landscape is as much a character as Ben and Marissa. 

 

The science fiction/fantasy aspect will appeal to a broad range of readers.  I think both boys and girls will appreciate this book.  Because of some graphic sexual scenes, I would keep this book in the High School library. 

 

 



Mr. Max: The Book of Lost Things by Cynthia Voigt

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Mr. Max: The book of lost things
by Cynthia Voigt


Although the premise of this book is far-fetched, I found Mr. Max to be quite a charming character.  Abandoned by his parents, Max is determined that he is going to be independent.  Supported by his grandmother and eventually by a boarder, Max finds his way toward that independence.

Not quite a detective, nor a private investigator, Max does solve the townspeople's problems while also trying to unearth the biggest mystery of all, what happened to his parents?

If you can get over the unlikelihood of parents leaving their 12 year old to fend for himself, you will find the adventures of Mr. Max to be delightful.  The characters that we meet along the way are well-developed and interesting.  The writing is engaging and when I finished the last page, I found myself wanting more!

This story is young enough to have in either an elementary or middle school library but adventurous enough to attract the older student.  Mr. Max is scheduled to be a trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Max's exploits!