It was like a nightmare, but there was no waking up. When the night began, Nora had two best friends and an embarrassingly storybook one true love. When it ended, she had nothing but blood on her hands and an echoing scream that stopped only when the tranquilizers pierced her veins and left her in the merciful dark. But the next morning, it was all still true: Chris was dead. His girlfriend Adriane, Nora's best friend, was catatonic. And Max, Nora's sweet, smart, soft-spoken Prince Charming, was gone. He was also—according to the police, according to her parents, according to everyone—a murderer. Desperate to prove his innocence, Nora follows the trail of blood, no matter where it leads. It ultimately brings her to the ancient streets of Prague, where she is drawn into a dark web of secret societies and shadowy conspirators, all driven by a mad desire to possess something that might not even exist. For buried in a centuries-old manuscript is the secret to ultimate knowledge and communion with the divine; it is said that he who controls the Lumen Dei controls the world. Unbeknownst to her, Nora now holds the crucial key to unlocking its secrets. Her night of blood is just one piece in a puzzle that spans continents and centuries. Solving it may be the only way she can save her own life.
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"This book as me captivated! I've been listening on it to audio as well while walking my dog and honestly I've wandered for miles. The writing is excellent, the tension supreme and I love how Wasserman shatters a few stereotypes and breaks the mold of YA romance. This historical aspect is nicely woven through the narrative and the protagonist - at first slightly grating - has really grown on me. Lovers of the BOOK THIEF fill probably enjoy this book. What a treat!"
— Sarah (5 out of 5 stars)
" Usually this type of thriller is an adult genre (see: Da Vinci Code), but Wasserman nicely places it into the teen lit canon. Puzzles, ciphers, dead languages, secret societies, mystical connections, murder, betrayal, love. It was an excellent audiobook. "
— Ashley, 1/29/2014" Over all I liked this book. Definitely had a feeling of The Davinci Code but that's what I like. I kept feeling weird that the main character was a high school senior. "
— Jessi, 1/19/2014" It was... Okay. I didn't end up liking any of the characters, and the plot was fine, but the end with the Lumien Dei was unbelievable. As in it didn't fit with the rest of the story. "
— Lily, 1/6/2014" I loved this so, so much. My favorite kind of book. Plus, alchemy! Team Alchemy. "
— Gwenda, 1/5/2014" very good, nice easy read with some historical information. the end was a little too fast past paced and made certain parts slightly unbelievable, but other than that a very good book. "
— Emma, 12/14/2013" Despite the slow beginning, I'm surprised by how much I loved this! Full review closer to release date. "
— Nicole, 9/16/2013" so so.. "
— Kaye, 2/9/2013" I love the idea of the story, but it the tone seemed one note throughout. I was not drawn in by the story. One of my main problems with it was that it seemed wordy and had too many commas in one sentence. It did not capture my interest like I had hoped. "
— Kelsey, 1/15/2013" This book was not what I thought it was going to be. For some reason, I was under the impression it was going to be a supernatural story. It was overly long and so very boring. I automatically zoned out during the reading of the letters. There were so many plot twists that I stopped caring. "
— Becca, 1/14/2013" I want a sequel!!! No, let me rephrase that; I NEED a sequel! "
— Nikki, 11/4/2012" reviewing for Unshelved's Book Club "
— Snow, 3/16/2012Robin Wasserman is the author of Girls on Fire, an NPR and BuzzFeed Best Book of the Year, as well as several bestselling novels for children and young adults. She is a graduate of Harvard College with a master’s degree in the history of science. She lives in Los Angeles, where she writes for television.
Emily Rankin is an audio narrator and winner of two AudioFile Earphones Awards.