The Black

Gr 6—10—Following Marshall Seaver's realization about his best friend Cooper's true fate at the conclusion of The Light (2010), the second title (2011, both Aladdin) in D. H. MacHale's trilogy presents Cooper's side of the story from the afterlife. Stuck in a purgatory-like place called the Black, Cooper is able to see into the Light, but is forbidden to influence his friends and family in any way. When Damon, a nasty ancient spirit, admits to murdering Cooper to bring him to the Black and blackmails him into helping him escape by threatening Marshall's life, Cooper willingly flouts the rules to try to help his friend. With the help of Maggie, a troubled spirit, he is able to contact Marsh. Cooper's actions bring him to the attention of The Watchers and he begins to learn more about the purpose of the Morpheus Road. When Cooper discovers Damon's plan to escape through a rift in the Morpheus Road, he builds an alliance with the Guardians of the Rift. After a showdown to control the rift, listeners will be left anxiously waiting for the conclusion of the trilogy. Nick Podehl brings Cooper's blend of devil-may-care attitude and loyalty to life. He easily takes listeners through Cooper's emotional journey in the Black, while maintaining the creepy tension of the first book. This great psychological thriller will leave listeners breathless. Recommended for libraries already circulating The Light.—Jessica Miller, New Britain Public Library, CT