Another Faust

A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites us into the world of the elite Marlowe School, where some gifted students are having a hell of a year.

One night, in cities all across Europe, five children vanish — only to appear, years later, at an exclusive New York party with a strange and elegant governess. Rumor and mystery follow the Faust teenagers to the city's most prestigious high school, where they soar to suspicious heights with the help of their benefactor's extraordinary gifts. But as the students claw their way up — reading minds, erasing scenes, stopping time, stealing power, seducing with artificial beauty — they start to suffer the sideeffects of their own addictions. And as they make further deals with the devil, they uncover secrets more shocking than their most unforgivable sins.

At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

"In this sibling duo's debut, an unusual urban fantasy, five 10-year-olds — overachieving Victoria, homeless writer Christian, twins Bic and Belle, and fame-hungry poet Valentin — disappear from their homes and are adopted by the beautiful, mysterious Madame Vileroy. Their families forget them, and they emerge in New York City five years later as the rich Faust siblings, joining the exclusive Marlowe School midyear. Each of the teens has been given a unique power (stopping time, mind-reading, bewitching beauty), though not all of them know the real cost. The novel's pace can be languid, though it picks up once the school year starts and the Fausts learn about the nature of evil and who Vileroy really is. The writing is clever and stylish ('Bic left a trail of moments like this, when people came away from her feeling better somehow — the kind of moments that were the very opposite of all those little evils that Madame Vileroy left in her wake') and the dips in and out of reality almost conceal the characters' superficiality. It's an absorbing, imaginative read, with a tense climax. Ages 14 — up." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"By switching character viewpoints often, the authors keep the pace moving to an ending full of action, revelation and horror." Kirkus Reviews

"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, as well as to fans of dark contemporary fantasy." School Library Journal

"There's so much going on with the emotional contents...that readers may need to pull back a bit to figure out the plot logic. Indeed, they may do so in their dreams, as the vestigial traces of this book will certainly find their way there." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

A devilish debut by a brother-sister team invites readers into the world of the elite Marlowe High School academy. At once chilling and wickedly satirical, this contemporary reimagining of the Faustian bargain is a compelling tale of ambition, consequences, and ultimate redemption.

Daniel Nayeri has held many book-related jobs, including editor, literary agent, and children's librarian. He is also a professional pastry chef and award-winning stuntman.

His sister, Dina Nayeri Viergutz, is a former teaching fellow in economics who holds both an MBA and a master's of education from Harvard University. Both were born in Iran and now live in New York City and Amsterdam, respectively.