Level 2

Gr 9 Up—Appelhans's first novel promises so much-too much-and ultimately does not deliver. Felicia Ward died in a car accident at some indeterminate time in the past. In the afterlife, she and her cohorts regularly plug in to a server that stores their memories. They can access both these recollections and those of other individuals, which they rent using credits accrued when others view their dreams. Because of their reluctance to re-live negative moments (e.g., their deaths), Felicia and those in similar hives are stuck on Level Two. Enter two forces, those who are rebelling against the system, and the Morati, mutinous angel guardians of the Level Two God who vie for the unique qualities that Felicia possesses that will enable them to move to the next level. Plotlines about purity pledges, refrigerator mothers, first love, obsession, Greek mythology, and Christian redemption are added to the mix. Characters show little of themselves or their motivations. Instead, the author tells readers about their powerful emotions and why they are important to each other and the plot. If Applehans had just teased a few elements from this muddle, she might have had an interesting story to tell. As it is, Level 2 is just a jumble.—Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME