"SUBLIME," by Christina Lauren, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, $17.99, 336 pages (f) (ages 16 and up)
The young adult paranormal novel "Sublime," written by Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, is anything but sublime with its ghosts and near-death experiences.
The ghostly protagonist, Lucy, literally falls from the sky to the grounds of a private school. Her memories are vague and clouded, and she moves among the student body and teachers without anyone noticing her. She feels neither cold nor heat, has no need to eat and does not sleep. Although she feels insubstantial, she is solid enough to hold things and bump into people. Finally, one of the students notices her and strikes up a conversation.
Colin is a young man who has no fear of death, as demonstrated by how he continually performs daredevil acts of bravado that land him in the school’s infirmary. Lucy and Colin are immediately attracted to each other.
Touching or kissing proves difficult for Lucy until Colin has a near-death experience that propels him into Lucy’s ghostly realm. Colin commits this quasi-suicide on a regular basis to be near her.
The novel includes occasional swearing and a lot of lust and sexual innuendo. Its combination of ghosts and succubus folklore makes a story that includes obsession and death, which may be difficult topics for sensitive young adults.
If you go ...
What: Book signing with "Sublime" authors Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (who write together under the pen name "Christina Lauren") and "Black Ice" author Becca Fitzpatrick
When: Thursday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, ChristinaLaurenBooks.com, beccafitzpatrick.com
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Tim Torkildson lives in Provo and dreams constantly about going back to live and teach in Thailand, where he lived for five years.