The Killing Jar

Kenna Marsden can sense%E2%80%94and steal%E2%80%94a person's life force simply by touching them. Back when Kenna was 10, before she knew what she was capable of, she drained the life of a malicious boy who killed her sister's cat and its kittens. When that night comes back to haunt her family, Kenna's mother takes the 17-year-old to Eclipse, a secluded commune in the nearby mountains. While there, Kenna meets her grandmother and other members of the community known as the Kalyptra, who teach her how to curb her hunger for anima or living energy. But the longer Kenna stays at Eclipse, the more she begins to forget her old life and finds it easier to dismiss the unusual things happening around her. Bosworth (Struck) has hold of a gripping premise, and her novel starts off strong as she delves into the Kalyptra's lore and Kenna's intense past. But while Kenna is forced to make some difficult decisions, a too-easy ending and the supernatural weirdness she uncovers may frustrate all but the most devoted fans of the paranormal. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. Agent: Jamie Weiss Chilton, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Jan.)