What is an author to do next when the story arc of a popular series of novels has concluded? You could start from scratch. You could find some convoluted way of continuing that “finished” story. Or you could try the best of both worlds: continuing in the universe you’ve already established, taking off in a new direction with one of your supporting characters.
The vampire Balthazar was already a fixture in Claudia Gray’s Evernight series, about a boarding school whose students are mostly vampires. Now he’s at the center of the action, trying to help a human girl named Skye whose psychic abilities have made her the target of a powerful vampire. That same vampire is the one responsible for “turning” Balthazar centuries before, yet what begins as a simple quest for vengeance becomes personal in a different way, as Balthazar finds an emotional connection growing between himself and Skye. Get a new fix for your supernatural romance teen-lit jones. (Scott Renshaw)
Claudia Gray: Balthazar @ The King’s English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, 801-484-9100,
March 7, 7 p.m., free.
KingsEnglish.com
Date: Mar 7, 2012
Time: 7 pm
Phone: 801-484-9100
Address: 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City, 84105
Where: King's English
