cover image Ripple

Ripple

Mandy Hubbard. Razorbill, $16.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-59514-423-2

Two years ago, 16-year-old Lexi killed Steven, the first boy she ever loved. While everyone believes his drowning was an accident, Lexi can't risk letting anyone get close again, for fear the same thing could happen: every night, Lexi is compelled to go swimming and produce a spellbinding song that lures men to their deaths. Alienated from her former friends ever since Steven's death, Lexi starts her senior year aching for the life she used to know, with only her grandmother for companionship. When Steven's best friend Cole breaks through Lexi's "ice-queen" facade, she decides to take a risk and carefully grasp at the chance of romance. But a mysterious new student with knowledge about Lexi is about to cause some major complications. Hubbard (You Wish) sticks to a familiar formula, quickly establishing her paranormal hook, as well as the prospect of a love triangle for Lexi, but she nicely conveys the heartache, confusion, and conflicts of high school, while providing readers with insights into self-determination and finding the difference between what you are and who you are. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. (July)