Another Faust
Grade 8–10—When five siblings enroll at Marlowe, an elite prep school in Manhattan, a secret advantage allows them to edge out the competition in sports, class offices, and the hearts of the most popular students. They have all—knowingly or unknowingly—exchanged their souls for supernatural gifts: mind-reading, athletic ability, great writing, control over time, and extreme beauty. However, their evil governess, Madame Vileroy, is not content with what she has already taken from her children. She gets great pleasure in pitting them against one another, regularly offering them more power or accolades in exchange for more of their essential selves. But how far does her power reach? And when is it too late to turn away from evil? With several well-timed twists and numerous allusions to Faustian bargains throughout history, this juicy story will appeal to teens who enjoy the power grabs and backstabbing of Cecily von Ziegesar's "Gossip Girls" (Little, Brown), as well as to fans of dark contemporary fantasy.—Hayden Bass, Seattle Public Library, WAEND