cover image Thirteen

Thirteen

Tom Hoyle. Holiday House, $16.95 (240p) ISBN 978-0-8234-3294-3

As a baby, Adam was almost killed by a sword-wielding member of a cult known as the People; 13 years later—it’s now 2013—they’ve tracked him down once again. The People are led by the merciless Lord Coron, who is determined to kill the 13 boys born at midnight on Jan. 1, 2000, before they turn 14; he’s already murdered 12 of them. In an isolated schoolhouse, Lord Coron manipulates his followers into believing that once Adam is dead, the “Reign of the People” can begin. After the People injure Adam’s adoptive parents and capture his childhood friend turned romantic interest, Adam and a boy who escaped the cult attempt to stop the People before they destroy London. Hoyle’s fast-paced first novel is light on character development, and the dialogue is somewhat wooden, but the omniscient narration (Adam’s adoptive parents “did not know that Adam was a millennium baby. They did not know that his death was being planned”) keeps suspense high. The ending is left unresolved, paving the way for a sequel. Ages 12–up. Agent: Gillie Russell, Aitken Alexander Associates. (May)