Moonset

Sins of the parents haunt 17-year-old Justin Daggett and four other children orphaned when the terrorist witch coven known as Moonset was destroyed 15 years ago. All their lives, the Moonset orphans have been guarded and scrutinized against the possibility of their accessing dark magic known as Maleficia, as their parents did before them. In the town of Carrow Mill where Moonset was born, the orphans learn that they are the target of both a warlock and Cullen Bridger, the last survivor of Moonset. Though Tracey’s protagonists have magical abilities, they also bicker, rebel, and agonize over the mysteries of dating like ordinary teens, as they attempt to blend into the mundane world. There’s plenty of sharp banter among the characters, and Justin is an engaging narrator, equally worried about his budding relationship with free-spirited local girl Ash (who succumbs a bit to the manic-pixie-dream-girl model) and about the warlocks stalking him and his family. It’s a promising start to a planned series, with an ending that raises the stakes for a sequel. Ages 12–up. Agent: Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown. (Apr.)