Dark Eyes.

Jay, Mary

Dark Eyes

William Richter

Razorbill 2012

ISBN 9781595146007

Paperback 6.39 [pounds sterling]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dark Eyes is a novel for the mature end of the teen market. William Richter is a Hollywood screenwriter and his cinematic understanding of setting and pace is demonstrated in this edgy, compelling thriller where the characters are driven to follow a trail of clues through a violent, urban landscape.

The publishers describe it as 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for teens', aimed at age 13+. As a violent and complex narrative it does share some characteristics of the Millenium trilogy, particularly in the character of the attractive, witty and physically powerful female protagonist but without the sexual violence, innuendo and political context of the Steig Larsson narratives.

16-year-old Wallis Stonemason has left her privileged life and affluent home in an Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan to live on the street. Knowing that she was adopted from a Russian orphanage and that her name is a diminutive for Valentina, she sets out on a quest to find her biological mother. There are stark contrasts between Wally's rich home and her street life. The plot is dramatic and violent, with a plethora of conspiratorial twists and deeply flawed characters.

References to drug abuse, underage sex and child abuse definitely mark this out as a novel for the more sophisticated teenage audience. It is a tale of intricacy and secrecy played out by a cast of extreme characters whose paths collide; street kids, immigrants, Russian mafia and an NYPD cop who provides the one solid base in the story.

Some readers may find the intentionally vague nature of the plot irritating and the plot line is somewhat contrived (as in almost any thriller) but any scepticism on the reader's part will probably be swept away by the dynamic action.

The novel is one of the Razorbill series which features other more familiar YA writers including David Almond and Meg Rossof.