#4 Secrets

An open target...
"When everyone I trusted turned away, Anthony was there. He was the only one who cared, and he's the reason I'm still alive. But now Anthony has more important things to do than watch my back. So it's just me and Yana, and whoever's out there watching, waiting for the chance..."

Brief Synopsis
Rae fears that she may be dying from a disease caused by her powers. Meanwhile Anthony is trying to help Jackie from hurting herself. Rae and Yana try to uncover the secrets about what really happened to Erika Keaton and are kidnapped. After Rae has told Yana her secret, Anthony saves them both.

Quotes
- "She clearly thinks her poop could be made into designer jewelry." (pg. 2)

- Yeah, okay, some strange, weird, and very bad stuff has happened to me. But things are smoothing out a little. None of my friends has been kidnapped in weeks. It's been even longer since the attempt on my life. There hasn't been a pipe bomb waiting for me anywhere. (pg. 10)

- This is not about Anthony, Rae told herself sharply. That big poo head. (pg. 59)

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Review
Remember! Reading this threatens serious spoiler content. Also, please be prepared: these reviews were written when I was in high school and, as such, read like a high schooler's ramblings. I intend on keeping the reviews as they are, as the opinions of a teenager are probably more relevant to this series than my older perspective.

I liked how Metz opened this book with a little teaser similar to Haunted. With the possible kidnapping of Zack, Metz makes it clear how this "killer" after Rae has really distorted their views on life. It is all consuming, which makes some of the developments easier to understand and believe--like why Rae feels she needs to find Anthony's father.

This is one of the better books of the series. The plot outline isn't as unbelievable as the rest of the novels. I liked how Anthony was nervous about what to wear to Sanderson Prep and how his phone call started a chain of mixed-messages between him and Rae. The irony was great throughout the entire novel. I'm glad there was some tension in Rae and Anthony's relationship. It helped build their characters and made it more real.

While the plot involving Jackie and her problem was excellent, I think Jackie's character deserved more of an introduction. Jackie could have been further developed in the three books before this one.

I was impressed with the development of Marcus and how it affected Anthony. I liked the way Anthony had to adjust to a new school and his inner thoughts about it. I'm not too sure about the Cardinal-Bluebird analogy, though. Somehow, it makes Anthony seem more juvenile than he really is. It was okay in the first couple books (if not overused) since it referred mostly to Anthony's past issues, but he clearly makes the same association with the present situation he is in now.

The immediate bonding between Mandy, Reese and Rae seemed a little too convenient, but knowing about Yana's powers, I don't think it's irrational.

I loved the way Metz toyed with us about Mr. Jeperson while he read Othello to his class. It is exactly what she did when she hinted that Mrs. Abramson might be a killer in book two.

Having read the Roswell High series, also by Metz, I was a little disappointed to see how strikingly similar the two series are. Metz uses the same descriptions to talk about Rae's illness as she did to talk about Max's akino. The "monsters" Rae saw in Jackie's mind were reminiscent of the bounty hunters in Maria's mind. Lastly, the idea of Anthony being a Ken doll for Jackie was like Alex being a just-my-size-ken doll for Liz and Maria.

The introduction of Aiden was great and suspenseful as was the very ending scene. Anthony and Rae kissing was a surprise ending, given the way they avoided each other throughout the book, but it was effective and realistic.

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