Caught in the Act

Sophomore Ethan cannot keep up with his studious reputation or his parents' academic expectations. When eccentric Lydia transfers to his school, and gets cast in the same play as Ethan, she pushes him to "find a new character" inside. Lydia dresses in black and fakes different accents, but Ethan is entranced as she pressures him to take risks, even convincing him to get a tattoo. But she has a scary side, too: when a teacher catches Ethan cheating, she threatens the teacher with sexual harassment, and she mysteriously convinces the drama teacher to switch Ethan into the lead. Readers will empathize with the pressures Ethan feels at home, and understand his attraction to someone who isn't "safe" like his girlfriend, Jane. The play, a version of Macbeth set in Hollywood and penned by the drama teacher, provides an evocative parallel as it's Ethan's own flaw—his inability to be honest—that "ultimately cause[s] his downfall." However, readers may be disappointed when Lydia too quickly disintegrates into pure insanity, stalking Ethan and ultimately attacking him. There is plenty of action to get sucked into as Moore's (Blind Sighted ) novel approaches the final showdown, but most of the subtlety leaks out of Lydia's character, as well as Ethan's complicated feelings towards her. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)