Troubling a Star (original 1994; udgave 1995)

L'Engle returns to the world of international intrigue and Cold War fears in a way that recalls the best of the O'Keefe family stories but has the best of her later characters: Vicky and Adam. Bonus: NO ZACHARY! It's a win for all, minus the fact that a lot of guys still make eyes at Vicky. I think that's kind of a weakness of L'Engles--her average female protagonists get an awful lot of play, and it's kinda suspicious.

That said, we get to meet a LOT of penguins, which I am perfectly okay with. And the time travels back and forth to ratchet up the suspense. I enjoyed the mystery and the ecological aspects of it. 4.5 stars. ( )

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Fifth and last in the Austin family series of novels for teenagers. Vicky, who narrates approaches sixteen at the chronological start of the book, although brief introductions to each chapter show her getting colder and colder on an iceberg in the Antarctic.

Very well written, with a great pace, slowly leading towards the reason why she is in such danger, and what the result is. It's a tense book, but the thriller theme is punctuated with Shakespeare, marine biology, and a few mentions of angels. It's political in places (although Vicky, like me, is mostly politically illiterate). The book is also very concerned with ecology, and the importance of preserving the Antarctic.

Definitely recommended to teens and anyone who enjoys a good series. Best read after the other Austin family books, but it's not essential. ( )