Jessica Gillmansen has had an extremely rough year, so
being called to the Guidance Office just makes her think
someone wants her to talk about her feelings...some more.
After being told to escort a new student with truancy
problems around school, she doesn't exactly jump for joy.
Sure, he's handsome, brooding and Russian. The rest of the
girls want to be all over him. Jess just wants everyone to
leave her alone, and that includes Pietr Rusakova.
Not only does this story contain werewolves, a brilliant
but obnoxious sister, and a former coma victim Jessica has
crafted from the ground up, the work is also teeming with
foreign and domestic political intrigue, seething with
secrets and chockfull of so many acts of martyrdom that
even Jessica realizes, if she were a character in a book,
she'd probably be considered TSTL (too stupid to live).
However, Jess is a great protagonist in that she is very
real. She thinks like a teenager, and she has the
motivation of a teenager, even when she contradicts
herself.
Currently, reading young adult novels with paranormal
themes can put one on the alert for thinly-disguised
reinterpretations of sparkly vampires. Instead, Delany's 13
TO LIFE quickly stands on its own merits and draws the
reader into the tale. Yes, the unwitting heartthrob's big
secret is noted in the cover blurb, but more secrets
abound, such as what was "the accident?" And why is our
protagonist throwing the guy she likes at her friend? This
book has some great themes about character and quality of
life.
Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…
When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by
Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons.
Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing
anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re
hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom.
Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover
Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he
comes with issues of his own including a police escort.
The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has
secrets to hide--secrets that will bring big trouble to the
small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes
he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early.