The Blood Between Us

After Grace and Adrien’s parents die in a sudden laboratory accident, a festering sibling rivalry (centered on Adrien’s adoption) sends the two orphans fleeing to opposite sides of the country. Four years later, their guardian’s impending death throws them back together at the same private school, while Adrien tries to unravel his parents’ demise and the theft of their scientific papers, prompted by a string of anonymous text messages. Brewer (The Cemetery Boys) threads his story with dramatic high points—explosive science projects, a poignant memory key to the sibling’s animosity—as well as thoughtful explorations of sexuality, but as a mystery it falls short. Character interactions and dialogue are often stilted, even didactic at times (“Anyone who thinks an eighteen-year-old is capable of choosing their forever path in life is kidding themselves,” Adrien tells a guest at a dinner party). After Adrien wends his way through a series of clues, the splintered story line leads to a rushed conclusion that sees the villain explaining the plan in full. Ages 13–up. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management. (May)