Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade - OPTIONAL

Kade, Stacey Queen of the Dead, 266 p. Hyperion, 2011.  Language: PG-13 (40 swears, 0 ‘f’).  Will’s life and Alona’s after-life are more complicated than ever.  While the pair are trying to help an angry, evil ghost crossover, Mina arrives and she has completely different plans.  Who is Mina – only the first other person  - live person – that Will has met that has some of his same talents with spirits.  While Alona may be annoying, Will should listen to her advice when she says Mina is bad news.  In order to get Will’s attention, Alona will go to great lengths.  And Will may have to decide between finding out about his heritage or saving Alona from destruction.  There is definitely a #3 coming – has to be from where the author left things hanging.  This one has the same failings of most #2’s in a series – its sole existence seems to be to ready the plot for #3.  It is short on actual plot development and leaves many more questions and an unsatisfied reader.  Alona's humor is not nearly as sardonic and witty is it was the first time around.  MS, HS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher