Soul Taker

Hodder Children's Books, 2003. Trade Paperback. Very Good +. Lewis James is unhappy. Overweight and unpopular, his dad despises him, the girl he likes won't look at him—he has no friends, no life. Desperate to change, anxious to know all about his future, he tries a fortune-teller with a difference: a beguiling and seemingly caring toyshop owner, Mr Jardine. Jardine suggests Lewis somehow get a lock of Lisa's hair—then Jardine will use his "psychic gifts" to influence her. But what Lewis doesn't know is that Jardine has no intention of helping him—or Lisa. Jardine is a spirit thief—a Soul Taker. He wants human souls to bring his "children" to life and now he has Lewis right where he wants him. Ater all, a deal's a deal. A life for a life, a soul for a soul. "Gr. 5-8. As fans of supernaturally tinged horror are well aware, the words "I'd give anything" are not to be spoken lightly. Overweight, uncool Lewis finds this out the hard way when he inadvertently promises his soul to a toy maker who hires him as an assistant. Feigning avuncular concern, Lewis' new boss inspires him to a diet, yoga, and exercise regimen that wins him his heart's desire: popular, gorgeous Jennie. Readers will quickly realize that Lewis' transformation "from fat boy to hunk in about a month" has more to do with the dark arts than his own self-discipline. Lewis is slower on the uptake, even after discovering an eerily lifelike replica of the toy maker's last assistant hidden in the workshop. The melodrama of the final showdown is mitigated by the fact that it's not just Lewis' soul at stake but the authenticity of his new identity. Far more mass-market in feel than Rees' historical novels, this British import will satisfy readers looking for something in the Stephen King mode." -- Jennifer Mattson, Booklist Book is in very good condition, minor edge wear. Inside covers are starting to tan.