Synopses & Reviews
Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey
not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human — something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile.
Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers — livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin.
To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight.
When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything — and everyone — she loves.
Review
"Although Audrey is a seer, she has no idea who is murdering teenaged girls. Her mom is a superhero, the Morning Star, a woman who spends her nights in the Twin Cities preventing crime, and Audrey trusts her to find the killer. As attacks continue, Audrey's psychic sense tells her that her mother may also be targeted, and Audrey may be the only one who can save her. This unique brew of superhero crime-fighting combined with the paranormal will appeal to readers of manga and mystery, but lovers of American graphic novels might be a little discouraged by the novel's anemic start. The crushing cold and constant darkness, however, add tension and urgency to the plot, and enough questions arise about Audrey's mysterious past to keep readers engaged, even if the early pages stall. Female readers will appreciate Audrey's confidence and determination, and identify with her predicament as the underdog in a family of powerful women. Audrey has a tight bond with her mother and a close connection to her grandmothers, all of whom have magical powers. It is perhaps this feminine energy that drives Audrey's desire to know more about her mysteriously absent father and to quarrel with her mother's constantly present sidekick, Leon. Public and school libraries should choose this novel as a compliment to an already strong science fiction core. Ages 12 to 18." VOYA
Review
"A superhero's daughter learns the truth about an ancient evil. Audrey Whitticomb is the daughter of Morning Star, a superhero who watches over Minneapolis. While Audrey's mother has heroic physical prowess, Audrey's talents lie in what her grandmother called her Knowing, so she's never contemplated fighting crime herself. But when high school girls start going missing and turning up dead, Audrey's mother's sudden overprotectiveness clues her into a larger picture. Morning Star doesn't fight crime at all, but rather hateful entities from the Beneath, the place where the Old Race who gave super-powered humans like the Whitticombs — called Kin — their abilities, originated. Why the whole city knows her as a superhero when she doesn't actually fight crime, but supernatural creatures that generally ignore normal humans is never addressed. A Kin connection to the murders and the secrecy of Morning Star and her teleporting, college-aged sidekick Leon force Audrey to investigate for herself, using her psychic abilities. Of course, this means danger and destiny. While the prose is generally prolix, a blink-and-miss-it climax follows some nifty plot twists. The main storyline is left unresolved for sequels. Decidedly more urban fantasy than comic book, Frenette's debut features a variety of characters and should please readers looking for paranormal without so much romance." Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. When your mother is the most powerful superhero in the Twin Cities, it's hard not to feel safe. But when Audrey is lured into the night air by something most definitely not human, the time for feeling safe is over.
Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't just stop criminals. She fights Harrowers-merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Some have managed to claw their way into our world, and they want Audrey dead because of who she is: one of the Kin.
There is some good news, though. Audrey has powers of her own. Being able to read someone else's mind and glimpse the future can be very useful. If she's able to get close enough to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to figure out his next move. But it won't be easy, not if Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick has anything to do with it. Lately, he hasn't let Audrey out of his sight.
When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything-and everyone-she loves.
About the Author
Bethany Frenette tried very hard to become a superhero, but eventually decided to write about one instead. Born and raised in Minnesota, she received her undergraduate degree from St. Cloud State University and her MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University. She lives in Minneapolis, where she still hopes to awake one day with superpowers. Dark Star is her first novel.