published June 22nd 2010 by St. Martin’s Griffin

details Paperback, 320 pages
isbn 0312609140

4.5 stars

Something strange is stalking the small town of Junction…

When junior Jess Gillmansen gets called out of class by Guidance, she can only presume it’s for one of two reasons. Either they’ve finally figured out who wrote the scathing anti-jock editorial in the school newspaper or they’re hosting yet another intervention for her about her mom. Although far from expecting it, she’s relieved to discover Guidance just wants her to show a new student around—but he comes with issues of his own including a police escort.

The newest member of Junction High, Pietr Rusakova has secrets to hide–secrets that will bring big trouble to the small town of Junction—secrets including dramatic changes he’s undergoing that will surely end his life early

Warning: Minor spoilers.

There are so many things that intrigued me about this book. It is deep. In fact, when I get a little time I’m going to have to go back and re-read it a second time. At the end of it all I was thinking…”Wait, What?!” Russian mafia, Wanda, CIA, more wolves? So many unanswered questions and references are alluded to but not resolved, it will keep you guessing.

From the second we are introduced to Pietr and his blue eyes I was in love. I really would have swooned to see him speaking more Russian. You know, complete sentences more than “Da” and “Nyet”. Something about a mystery man who can speak another language is a pull. I love that he is strong, straight forward and yet guarded with his past. My favorite scenes were the kisses he stole from Jess. I mean, WOW!

Jess…come on! Please stop letting him date Sarah. What is wrong with this picture? I know she suffered head trauma and all but… The evil twin she used to be is bubbling beneath her surface ready to surface any second now. I can see it coming. And meanwhile, in her innocent state, I think better to have her know the truth than get strung along and lied to. Okay, I have ranted.

What do I love about her? I think Shannon Delany has written a lot of her own strengths and personality into the heroine. She is great with horses, isn’t afraid to muck, can shoot a gun, packs a punch, tries to redeem a lost soul and has some guts. Jess and her friends are intellectuals. There are lots literary references in this book. So many I lost track: Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace, Homer’s Odyssey, romeo and Juliet, and the Merchant of Venice. Plus the book is poring in Russian folklore, history and heritage.

Overall I really enjoyed 13 to Life. The setting has a small town feel butted up against commercialism and shallow societal snobbery. There is a definite dislike of cheerleaders. My other favorite characters in the book were Amy and Max.

I predict: Derek is a werewolf. He can smell and taste Pietr’s kisses and I am thinking he has something to do with the break in at the school