Review: Another Excellent Addition to the CUL8R Series
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 23, 2014
“RIP” is the fourth novel in the inventive, engaging “CUL8R” series featuring four teens who time travel to solve mysteries with the help of an invention that allows them to talk to the dead and a phone app that can send them to any time and place they need to go.In “RIP,” the location is my favorite yet—Kelly, Austin, Scott, and Zoey end up at the very haunted Stanley Hotel (the inspiration for Stephen King’s “The Shining”) in 1911, hoping to save a little girl from disappearing and devastating her mother’s life. They get jobs working at the hotel as they investigate, but the guests aren’t the only ones staying in the rooms—there are also spirits, playful and otherwise. The danger heightens as the teens race against the clock to try to save young Emma, and as they also try to work out some confusing romances amongst themselves.“CUL8R” is a stellar YA series, and “RIP” is no exception. What makes it stand out is that the mystery/danger elements of the book are so well blended with the teen personalities—there’s suspense and realism, making the reader care not only about whether or not the mystery is solved and the day is saved, but also about the individual characters. Kelly is an excellent role model for young readers—she’s brave and smart, suffering from everyday insecurities and torn between being attracted to Scott and Austin. As the author develops Zoey over these books, we also see that she’s more than just a blonde cheerleader—all of the characters defy their stereotypes and continue to grow and be interesting. They’re funny, smart, interesting teens who deal with both the normal and the supernatural without breaking stride. My favorite part of each book (and “RIP” in particular) is how well the author manages to bring the time period and setting to life. The Stanley Hotel is filled with the upper crust in its 1911 era, and both its glamorous and sinister sides come to vividly-described life. I have nothing but praise for “RIP” and this series in general and recommend it to readers who enjoy YA mystery/suspense stories with a fantasy twist.