THE BEGUILERS

Thompson (the Switchers trilogy) creates a convincing fantasy world built on a promising premise. Narrator Rilka is a misfit in an otherwise cooperative, if somewhat passionless, village. She's allergic to chuffies, the mythical beings that absorb emotional pain, and when she announces her first Great Intention (an act that indicates "the beginning of adulthood"), she declares that she will "seek out and catch a beguiler," one of the beautiful, ethereal creatures that haunt the village at night. Legend has it that they enchant victims who are never seen again. Her adventures alone in the mountain spark some wonderful suspenseful moments, such as when she realizes the beguilers have the eyes of chuffies, or when she discovers the mountain she's climbing is not made up of snow, but of bones. At times, Rilka's exposition as she learns valuable insights intrudes upon the pacing of the narrative, and readers may find themselves wondering throughout most of the book what Rilka intends to do with the beguiler once she captures it. The conclusion reads like a somewhat rushed attempt to tie up loose ends, but her pursuit of the beguilers and some standout supporting characters such as old Hemmy and blind Marik will keep the pages turning. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)