Vivian Divine Is Dead

Gr 8 Up—Someone is after Hollywood's "it" girl. Teen film star, Vivian Divine, has always followed in her famous mother's footsteps—but this time, she'd rather not. Her mother was murdered six months ago, and when Vivian receives a mysterious death threat with alarming parallels to her mother's tragic end, she flees incognito to Mexico. The Hollywood princess is on her own and out of her element, trying to stay alive while unraveling the mystery of who's chasing her and why. Her odds of survival increase when she meets the attractive Nick—but he may not be who he seems. This action-packed novel is enjoyably quirky, though ambitious—there's a lot going on, and characterization takes a backseat to plot. The writing shines in the scenes of a richly described Día de los Muertos celebration, and Vivian's journey through rural Mexico will keep readers in suspense as the heroine faces danger at every turn. In the end, though, there's heavy reliance on coincidence. The story's climax plays out like a melodrama—or, perhaps, given the setting, it's a self-aware reference to the plot twists of a telenovela, with shocking betrayals and dramatic reveals. It's hard to tell whether the book's tone is meant to be sincere or tongue-in-cheek. Still, this will appeal to readers looking for a fast-paced romp with suspense, action, and romance—with an encouraging message of self-actualization as Vivian learns she's capable of more than she knew.—Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA