Spray

Edge's debut is an entertaining twist on the oft-used "assassination game" trope. In this case, the game is played with squirt pistols, with hundreds of players ages 15 and older attempting to hunt down—and soak—their respective targets, like laser tag on a citywide scale. Among the players Edge rotates between are university students Maiko, Cliff, and Shell; overweight and geeky Green; and underage Han. As the number of competitors dwindles, some eliminated within minutes of the start of the game, characters rapidly grow paranoid, caught up in each other's intrigues and unsure of who to trust. Edge juggles a large cast and assorted points of view with tiny, often page-long chapters, keeping the story moving along briskly without sacrificing character development. There are some well-choreographed action and strategy sequences (including a particularly ingenious one in which Green lures a reclusive executive into the open), and some romantic twists along the way. Little that happens in the game (including the winner) will likely surprise readers, but the fun cast and fast-paced adventure should keep them entertained. Ages 11–up. (Dec.)