The Beast of Noor

July 10, 2006
Carey (The Double Life of Zoe Flynn) begins her atmospheric thriller with a doozy of a premise: 300 years ago, a man named Rory Sheen handed over his beloved dog to the Grim Reaper in order to spare his own life: "Your master has betrayed you," he tells Rory's dog, "And through his betrayal man's best friend becomes his worst enemy." This story is repeated through the years, up to the present, when siblings Miles, 15, and 13-year-old Hanna Ferrell find the body of a girl in Shalem Wood who has been killed by an animal, the bones picked clean. Even though the townsfolk suspect the demon dog (the Shriker), they blame the Ferrells, for they are the descendants of Rory Sheen and thus treated as outsiders. An encounter with the Sylth Queen in the forest garners Miles the gift of shapeshifting-an ability also possessed by the Shriker-and he becomes obsessed with killing the beast, in hopes of ending the family curse. But when Miles assumes the form of a wolf, and experiences its hunger, the distinction between man and animal begins to dissolve. Readers might be conflicted about how the beast meets its end-the explanation may be too rosy for a story this dark-but the idea that kindness conquers all is ultimately a satisfying one. Ages 10-14.

August 1, 2006
Gr. 6-9. The Sheens have always been considered outsiders because legend has it that a Sheen brought a monstrous dog, the Shriker, to the woods 300 years ago. Although the beast disappeared for a long time, it has begun to return in search of human prey, and when a local girl's bones are found in the woods, the villagers blame the clan. Such is the premise of this story of 15-year-old Miles Sheen and his 13-year-old sister, Hanna, who are determined to break the family curse. The action tracks between two linked worlds, as Miles is drawn into the Otherworld in pursuit of the Shriker, and Hanna follows. Carey delivers an eerie, atmospheric tale, full of terror and courage, set in a convincingly realized magical realm.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)

November 1, 2006
Gr 5-8-Miles and Hanna Ferrell live near Shalem Wood where a beast known as the Shriker has been attacking villagers for 300 years. Everyone knows his storyhe was once a faithful dog betrayed by his owner, given to an evil master (another Ferrell), and cursed to kill at the time of the dark moon. Miles is determined to break the curse and win the admiration of the town. It doesnt take long for him to get in over his head, and meek, quiet Hanna has to overcome her shyness if she is to save him. Or, will the siblings just become two more of the beasts victims? The story has plenty of intrigue and danger, and the characters are realistically drawn. While well written, the plot is just a tad predictable, which, in fact, adds to its charm as the novel reads almost like a fairy tale, with the same rhythms and the same etiquette. Recommend it to lovers of (very mild) horror and suspense or to those who enjoy old-fashioned fairy tales. All in all, a fun read."Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2007
To defeat the hell-hound, Shriker, magician wannabe Miles shape-shifts into the monster's form. But after Miles is wooed by the darkness, it's up to his sister, Hanna, to save him. Drawing on British Isles lore, Carey fills her fantasy world with run-of-the-mill ingredients (e.g., spells, sprites, trolls, clear-cut good vs. evil), but her knack for description will hook fantasy fans.

(Copyright 2007 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 4, 2006
Carey (The Double Life of Zoe Flynn) begins her atmospheric thriller with a doozy of a premise: 300 years ago, a man named Rory Sheen handed over his beloved dog to the Grim Reaper in order to spare his own life: "Your master has betrayed you," he tells Rory's dog, "And through his betrayal man's best friend becomes his worst enemy." This story is repeated through the years, up to the present, when siblings Miles, 15, and 13-year-old Hanna Ferrell find the body of a girl in Shalem Wood who has been killed by an animal, the bones picked clean. Even though the townsfolk suspect the demon dog (the Shriker), they blame the Ferrells, for they are the descendants of Rory Sheen and thus treated as outsiders. An encounter with the Sylth Queen in the forest garners Miles the gift of shapeshifting-an ability also possessed by the Shriker-and he becomes obsessed with killing the beast, in hopes of ending the family curse. But when Miles assumes the form of a wolf, and experiences its hunger, the distinction between man and animal begins to dissolve. Readers might be conflicted about how the beast meets its end-the explanation may be too rosy for a story this dark-but the idea that kindness conquers all is ultimately a satisfying one. Ages 10-14.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.