On the Edge

November 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-College-bound Maddie finds herself in the middle of a dangerous gang war after witnessing the murder of a homeless man. With a target on her back, she is unexpectedly defended by an underground gang and in the midst of it all begins to fall for their mysterious leader, Lobo. As their relationship heats up so does the danger, and Maddie becomes an essential piece to bringing down a gang-run human trafficking ring. While the relationship between Maddie and Lobo is the focus of the story, the thriller-type subplot set in the Miami underbelly steals the show. The sometimes violent, always gripping action of a vigilante underground gang rescuing trafficked girls keeps the pace moving and the tone from becoming saccharine. The menace of this dark world is a nice foil to the unexpectedly sweet development of young love, and adds a desperation and sense of urgency to their romance. The friendship between Maddie and her friends is especially multifaceted, and readers will appreciate the honest examination of the complex emotions of friendship as they learn to allow their relationship to evolve while facing big life changes. While the hyper-gritty street life may be over-the-top and border on unrealistic, the struggle of the characters to do right at all costs will resonate with teen readers.-Sarah Townsend, Norfolk Public Library, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2014
Romance and danger combine in this companion to van Diepen's Snitch (2013). Maddie Diaz is on top of the world: She's gotten a scholarship to Florida State and can't wait to leave Miami, even if that means leaving behind her mom and her best friend, Iz. But on the way home from celebrating with her friends, Maddie witnesses two members of the Reyes gang beating a homeless man before setting him on fire. Going against the Reyes is dangerous in Maddie's community-but this teenage journalist can't let this crime go unpunished. She agrees to testify, sparking retribution from the Reyes while gaining protection from Lobo. Head of the Destinos, Lobo leads a crusade against the Reyes. Falling for Lobo is easy, especially when Maddie learns his real identity. But Lobo has to fulfill his mission-one that puts him between a dangerous cartel and the Reyes. How will Maddie cope with the danger that both she and Lobo face? While there's not enough tension to make this into a true thriller, the well-drawn characters and setting make the novel stand out. The romance between Maddie and Lobo is equal parts sweet and hot and leads to a satisfying conclusion. Ideal for readers who prefer a high romance-to-thrills ratio. (Romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2014) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.