Overview
When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.
But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?
Synopsis
When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.
But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever want—except that he was killed nearly a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly, call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?
Publishers Weekly
In Arthur's first YA novel, which kicks off the Mystyx series, 15-year-old Krystal Bentley is coping with her parents' divorce, a move from New York City to the Connecticut hinterlands, a hostile stepfather--and ghosts. They follow her, beg for her help, and give her screaming nightmares. It isn't until she is approached by Sasha and Jake, two of her new classmates, that she can even imagine there might be others who are trying to make sense of untellable secrets. But while the three share their knowledge, paranormal abilities (Sasha can teleport, and Jake has superhuman strength), and a mysterious "M" birthmark, more is needed to make these strangers into friends. Arthur has uneven control over the pacing and voice of her narrative, and the world-building may cause some eye rolling (cliques at Krystal's new school include the wealthy "Richies" and "Trackers" who live "past the railroad tracks"). But the flaws in her technique do not obscure the deeply felt difficulties of Krystal's situation and her struggles with the "grown folks' business" that threaten to overwhelm her. Ages 13-up. (Aug.)