Tell Me What You See

Teen gothic horror from a new German author--sure to send chills down your spine!Berlin, Christmas, the dead of night: 16-year-old Alissa and her best friend, Evelin, are making their annual secret pilgrimage to the grave of Alissa's father when Alissa falls through thick snow to land in an underground crypt. There she finds a child's casket...with a strange black plant growing up through its lid. Opening the coffin, she severs the dark growth from its roots--and discovers they are embedded in the heart of the dead child.From that moment forward, Alissa's life descends into nightmarish turmoil.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up–Ever since Alissas father died, she and her friend Evelin have made a midnight pilgrimage to his grave every Christmas. But this year Berlin is covered in snow, and while searching for the grave, Alissa falls into a crypt where she finds a childs coffin with a strange plant growing from it. Seduced by the plant, Alissa eats it and finds that it has given her powers. She can see strange people who transform into ravens, are invisible to everyone else, and who appear to comfort the dying. She also develops the ability to call back the dead, although she does not immediately realize what she is doing. Evelin watches in horror as Alissa seeks to figure things out and avoid her ex-boyfriend, who has become frighteningly obsessive. This is an odd, often confusing story in which much is left unexplained. The people Alissa sees are almost like angels, but they are cold and uncompromising; the plant was the dead boys undeveloped gift, but why his unfulfilled potential takes over Alissa or causes her to develop these abilities is unclear. Still, the ambience is undeniable, and the elements behind the supernatural mystery, such as Alissas relationships with her mother and stepfather, are evocative and ring true. Readers seeking a truly unusual horror story may find some satisfaction, despite the flaws, but most will prefer Charles de Lints The Blue Girl (Viking, 2004), which covers similar territory more effectively.–Karyn N. Silverman, Elizabeth Irwin High School, New York City Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

The author of three best-selling series for young readers, Tony Abbott didn’t actually turn to writing full-time until 1994. He has always been involved with the world of writing, however, from his time at the University of Connecticut — where he graduated with a degree in English Literature — to his work with a variety of specialty bookstores, a university library, and an Internet book and magazine publisher. He shares a love of fantasy and adventure with his readers, with whom he maintains contact through his many school visits; Abbott has also taught writing workshops for all elementary grades.Zoran Drvenkar was born in Krizevci, Yugoslavia in 1967. He has authored many books for children and teens and believes that a book is a gate to another world. Zoran has worked as a freelance writer for over a decade, writing novels, poems, and plays. He has been nominated for several German literary awards including the Oldenburger Child and Youth Award.Zoran’s new Scholastic book, Tell Me What You See, is his first title to be published in English. Tell Me What You See takes place in Berlin on the night of Christmas. Sixteen-year-old Alissa and her best friend Evelin stumble upon a subterranean crypt and a veined purple plant. She severs the dark growth from its roots—and discovers they are embedded in the heart of the young corpse. After she swallows part of the plant, visions and fevers follow and Alissa discovers she has the power to both heal and hypnotize. But, trapped between the passions of her menacing boyfriend, Simon, and Evelin, her new magic may only bring tragedy.Zoran lives in Berlin, Germany.

Reviews

News