Every Other Day
Paranormal gets a twist in this entertaining start to a new series about Kali, who alternates between being a normal 16-year-old one day and a vampirish demon hunter the next. It helps that her father is busy in his own work and doesn’t notice her bloodied clothes or late-night absences, during which she tries to save her town from the threat of hellhounds, dragons, basilisks, and manticores. Kali is a worthy character to follow: sarcastic and self-sufficient, but also self-deprecating. After she saves a snobby cheerleader by transferring a deadly chupacabra to her own body, she finds herself linked to and caring for a fellow demon hunter, Zev, who communicates with her as a voice in her head. The cheerleader wants to return the favor and save Kali next, leading to an unlikely partnership that turns to friendship. Add evil villains, a mystery surrounding Kali’s parentage, a friend who claims to be a little psychic, and some plot twists, and this will leave readers eagerly waiting for the sequel. Grades 7-10. --Cindy Dobrez