Phantom Eyes

Gr 9 Up—This last installment of the Witch Eyes paranormal trilogy, follows an embattled teen warlock as he attempts to learn more about his life and his history. Braden, stripped of all powers by an enemy in the previous book, is caught in the middle of a longstanding feud between warring witch families, and he must fight for his life, as well as for the lives of his friends and family. The teen struggles with his obligations and his love for Trey, the scion of a rival family. Along the way, Braden learns more about himself and his deceased mother by connecting with his estranged father and his extended family, all while trying to navigate the dangerous hellscape of his supernatural hometown, Belle Dam. Tracey aims for a quippy and casual tone but often slips into other styles, resulting in a confused narrative voice. The book is complicated, with many plotlines and characters, and too little explanation-a new reader would have difficulty following along without first reading the previous books. The internal logic of the world is inconsistent and often vague, leaving the reader with too many questions. Despite these faults, there is much for readers to appreciate in Phantom Eyes, especially in its tender and realistic portrayal of gay teens. Braden and Trey love each other and are also nervous about moving into the adult world of love and sex. Fortunately, Tracey only takes the Romeo and Romeo trope so far and allows his star-crossed lovers to conquer evil and get their happily ever after ending. Additionally, teens will sympathize with Braden's struggle to build a relationship with his father, by letting go of past hurts and working as a team.—Susannah Goldstein, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City