Mortal Danger by Ann Aguirre

Reviewed by Lori

Mortal Danger

Title: Mortal Danger

Author: Ann Aguirre

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 87780

Description: Agreeing to join the mysterious Kian's magical faction to exact revenge on a group of bullies who have tormented her, Edie transforms into a beautiful girl and begins to sabotage the bullies' inner circle -- only to discover dark truths about Kian's world.

Rubric Rating: Level 2

Why I Read It: Great Cover and Title

Lori's Notes: Now I know I gave this a level 2 but if I did half marks this book would be sitting between a two and a three.  I enjoyed the read but I found some items fell flat with me.  The book begins with Edie on a bridge about to commit suicide.  On the cusp of jumping she feels a hand on her shoulder.  A boy, who, because she is in "extremis," can offer her a deal.  She can be granted three requests and in return must give three for the bargain to be paid in full.  Considering her other option is going back to the bridge, Edie is easily convinced to accept the deal.  Kian (I don't know if it is pronounced - Keen or Key-an, I went with Keen as that is what he is) then proceeds to burn/tattoo a symbol on each of her wrists - one is an infinity symbol, the other what looks like a kanji.  Edie's first "favour" is that she become beautiful so that she can infiltrate the "Teflon Crew" who were making her life a nightmare at school.  This is where the story diverged from what I expected.  Edie is easily accepted into this group of kids and she finds herself not hating everyone and even having some empathy with some of the people who had bullied her (which led to her "extremis").  So while Edie is rethinking her desire to destroy these people, they start dying and disappearing anyway.  Apparently, this deal is a lot bigger and involves more players than even Edie was expecting.  But Edie is smart and she figures out the game quickly, but not quickly enough.  I really liked this story as it branched out quickly to areas I did not expect.  I thought it would be more of a bullying and retribution story but quickly turned into a game of intrigue.  Who are the players in this game?, Who is involved,? Why do they want Edie?  etc.  The relationship that develops between Kian and Edie was good, and I guess I could see the distance she might have between herself and her academic parents.  I never like to think of parents being so oblivious to the needs of their child but I'm sure it does happen.  I'm also very tentative about books that have suicide as a plot point.  What I did like is that Edie is able to step back from the brink - literally - and take another look at her life, her parents, and school.  The author does touch on this in a note at the end of the book as well.  This is the first book in a trilogy and I am interested in seeing where the author takes this story.

Recommended Readers: Grade 9 and Up

Themes: Punishment (self-imposed and on the other), Mystery, Games, Urban Legends, Immortals, Fantasy, Parent/Child Relationships, First Loves, Supernatural, School, Bullying, Friendship, Relationships, Self-Perception

Cross-Genre Links: 
Movie: Aladdin (2009)
Story: Aladdin and the magic lamp
Websearch: Djinn
Websearch: Urban Legends

Inquiries and Activities: 

  • How is Kian like the Djinn or a Genie?
  • Did you anticipate Edie's last favour?
  • If you had three wishes what would they be?
  • How does Edie's perspective of the "Teflon Crew" change as she gets to know them?
  • How do looks change Edie's self-confidence?
  • Who are the immortals that are part of the game?
  • Create a graphic organizer of people in the game, out of the game, and watching/aware of the game.
  • What are Urban Legends?
  • Research an urban legend.  Where do they begin?  How are they perpetuated?  
  • How can belief in something give it power?  How does the author explain this in the book?  (Think in terms of individuals, cultures, and the world).
  • Why might urban legends like the hook man and bloody mary originate?   What lessons could they serve? 
  • How do urban legends compare to fairy tales?
  • Who do Westerfell and Dwyer & Fell represent? Explain why you think so.



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