by Jeff Zentner
Crown Books for Young Readers, 2019. 400 Pages.Young Adult Fiction
Delia and Josie are high school seniors with a unique hobby. They host a Midnight movie program on their local TV station, where they show low budget, little know, old school horror flicks as their vampire-y alter egos, Rayne and Delilah. While brainstorming ways to take their show from hobby to career, they hear about a horror convention nearby where a famous veteran horror hosting icon will be available for a meet and greet. They plot to charm him with their show so he can give them the boost they need to make them stars. Each of the girls has ulterior motives for wanting their show to make it big, though, and a lot more is riding on this convention than either of them realize.
I checked out this book because I loved author Jeff Zentner’s book, The Serpent King. Zentner has a knack for creating instantly likable characters who behave like actual people in seemingly plausible life situations- which isn’t always what you get from Young Adult books. Delia and Josie’s friendship is reminiscent of real life high school friendships, chalk full of insecurity, self-discovery, family struggles, and lots of love and support for each other. The descriptions in this book are so cinematic; you’ll feel like you're watching Rayne and Delilah’s Midnite Matinee broadcast as you turn each page.
RC
1 comment:
This was the first book I've read by this author, and I'm a fan! This is a great story of friendship working through life changes. The characters felt so real and well-developed, I immediately felt like I knew and understood them from the start. Zetner really has a knack for putting you in the action; like RC describes, you'll feel like you're having a cinematic experience, watching events unfold while you read. I did have a bit of a rough time in the beginning, getting through some of the exposition, but I'm so glad I kept reading!
MW
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