Librarian's Pick of the Week: Elixer

Title: Elixer
Author: Hilary Duff
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2011
Age: 13+

Synopsis: Clea Raymond is a talented photojournalist and the daughter of high-profile parents. Usually she's in total control of her camera, but after Clea's father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, eerie, shadowy images of a strange and handsome young man begin to appear in Clea's photos--a man she has never seen in her life. When Clea suddenly encounters this man in person she is stunned--and feels an immediate and powerful connection. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father's disappearance and discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fate, together they race against time to unravel their past in order to save their future--and their lives.

Review: "Seventeen-year-old Clea, the daughter of a senator and a famed surgeon, is a paparazzi magnet, photojournalist, and world traveler. Things change when she notices a handsome, timeless young man in her vacation pictures. Even more unsettling, in some photos he seems to float, and the specter soon haunts her dreams as well. Vivid visions of past lives with this man make Clea curious and lead her to the jungles of Brazil, where her father has gone missing while on a search for the elixir of life. Whether readers are drawn to this because of Duff's Lizzie McGuire fame or are taken in by the surprisingly solid premise, they may be disappointed by the authors' execution. The love between Clea and her mystery man, Sage, never quite reaches believability, and overall, the story reads like a friend's hasty rehashing of a movie plot. The abridged nature of the narration also suffers from more telling than showing. However, with its paranormal-romance angle and celebrity coauthor, this title will still be in demand." - Booklist

If you're intrigued, don't forget to check our library's catalog for this book!