Alyzon Whitestarr

November 1, 2009
Gr 7 Up-Alyzon feels like a chicken among peacocks as the only "normal" member of her sprawling, eccentric family. When she awakens from a monthlong coma after an accident, she finds that her heightened sense of smell may make her the oddest Whitestarr of all. Able to sense the wishes, feelings, and character of others by the smells they give off, Alyzon slowly begins to understand her gift, to recognize that her friends and family aren't always who they seem, and to realize that she may be the only one who can prevent an impending tragedy involving her father and her moody younger sister. The Australian setting and vocabulary add spice to Carmody's prose. Her gorgeous, evocative descriptions of the smells Alyzon experiences, which include lavender, caramelized sugar, hot strawberries, and chocolate, are delightful. The novel is too long for reluctant readers, and probably longer than it needs to be, but fans of fantasy, paranormal, and romance tales will find Alyzon and her friends appealing enough to stay with it to the end. Carmody leaves the door open for a sequel."Leah J. Sparks, formerly at Bowie Public Library, MD"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2009
Grades 7-10 Teenager Alyzon Whitestarr feels she is the least talented member of her artistic and musical family until a concussion leaves her with greatly enhanced faculties. Suddenly her senses of smell, touch, and hearing are magnified, and she becomes aware of peoples emotions and essences as well. At first she tries to mask these overwhelming sensations; later she discovers that they can be very useful in ferreting out the dark secrets and evil forces that threaten her family. The Australian author of A Mystery of Wolves (2008) and several other younger-grade fantasies turns her sights here to mystery, romance, and the paranormal. Alyzon is fully believable as a somewhat nave teen who suddenly realizes that the boy shes been crushing on smells rottenhes the carrier of an illness of despair. The mystery of a wealthy arts patron with a hidden agenda for her musician father and the creepy cult that holds her younger sister in its clutches are also well handled. While somewhat hefty at 500 pages, this will keep teen readers turning the pages.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
Alyzon is the "normal" one in her large, quirky family until a head injury has extraordinary effects on her senses. Suddenly, Alyzon can literally sniff out dark secrets about her siblings and schoolmates. The plot occasionally gets mired in overcomplexity and melodrama, but the entertaining eccentricity of the characters, the ominous atmosphere, and the well-developed premise will pull readers through.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)