Nobody

Barnes (Every Other Day) continues to establish herself as a strong voice in dark fantasy and science fiction. For 15 years, Claire Ryan has been ignored by everybody, from her classmates to her parents. Seventeen-year-old Nix has grown up with a similar invisibility, something he uses to his advantage. Raised by the Society, Nix is a “Nobody,” incapable of being seen, able to travel through walls—abilities he uses to kill Nulls, sociopaths who threaten the world. When Nix is assigned to kill Claire, he’s shocked that she can see him, and he soon realizes that she can’t possibly be a Null, which makes him question the Society and his mission. Barnes skillfully builds tension, keeping Claire and Nix at odds even as their mutual attraction grows. The ending is a bit rushed, with both a contrived concept and a late-debuting character driving a presumed sequel, but the world-building and the mix of dark genre elements (including some genuinely disturbing human actions) more than make up for any letdown. Ages 12–up. Agent: Elizabeth Harding, Curtis Brown. (Jan.)