Humor and horror collide in Strand's (Fangboy) YA debut. After an unusual chain of circumstances culminates with a magically-supercharged voodoo doll being made of high school sophomore Tyler Churchill, Tyler, his girlfriend, and his borderline sociopathic best friend embark on a dramatic journey across town to deactivate the doll before it maims or kills him. Naturally, everything goes wrong, as the doll passes from the hands of carjackers to a Rottweiler, a larcenous taxi driver, and more. Tyler and friends must outwit numerous dangers as the night grows increasingly bloody and bizarre, bringing with it zombies, cannibals, voodoo priestesses, and the cops. A snarky and self-aware tone, casual descriptions of mayhem, and narrative tricks (during an "Intermission" readers are encouraged to "Take a break and read The Hunger Games again") contribute to the lunatic atmosphere of this free-wheeling dark comedy that starts off running and doesn't stop until all plausibility is exhausted. Sam Raimi fans should eat it up. Ages 12–up. Agent: Stephanie Kip Rostan, Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. (June)
