The Obsession

November 1, 2020
Grades 9-12 This edge-of-your-seat, thriller alternates between the perspectives of white Logan, handsome lacrosse player with secrets galore, and new, half-Singaporean student Dee, who happens to be a dead ringer for the now-deceased Sophie, the last victim of Logan's unwanted attention. As Logan takes an unnatural interest in Dee, blackmailing her into dating him, readers witness the stalker's point of view, privy to his savior complex and twisted thoughts on "romance." Worse, Dee must simultaneously navigate an abusive relationship with her mother's policeman boyfriend, as her mother denies the severity of their situation. Meanwhile, a drug investigation wreaks havoc at school. What ensues is a chilling tale of ""boy meets girl, boy stalks girl, girl gets revenge,"" with Dee refusing to let her unhinged stalker ruin her life. Sutanto has crafted a page-turning work of suspense that questions the line between romantic "research" and stalking in the age of the internet, analyzing the roles played by abuse, misogyny, racism, and violence in contemporary relationships.

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December 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-The first time Logan sees Delilah, his new classmate at an elite Northern California prep school, he knows they're destined to be together forever. The only problem is that Delilah doesn't agree-yet. When Logan catches Delilah on film murdering her mother's abusive boyfriend, Brandon, he knows he has the perfect leverage to ensure she never dares leave him. But Delilah is sick of living in fear, and she knows she needs a plan to keep Logan away from her for good. Sutanto readily identifies the societal power structures that keep Delilah, who is half-Singaporean and half-white, in the control of Brandon, a white police officer, and Logan, who is also white. The story, told from Logan and Delilah's perspectives in alternating chapters, moves at breakneck speed to a surprising conclusion. The moments of violence are brief, keeping the focus on the mounting tension between the two main characters. VERDICT This tense, quick-moving thriller is also a thought-provoking story about the different shapes of abuse. Fans of high-drama fiction with a dark edge, like Karen McManus's One of Us Is Lying or Gretchen McNeil's #murdertrending, will be hooked.-Madison Bishop, Forbes Lib., Northampton, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2020
A paranoia-driven debut novel about a relationship twisted by obsession. Logan struggles to move on after the death of his great love, Sophie. All he can do is go through the motions until he meets Delilah, a new senior who strongly resembles Sophie. Revived, Logan's obsession grows as he stalks Delilah online and in real life. Meanwhile, Delilah--whose father died in a tragic accident--feels crushed by her mother's abusive police detective boyfriend. Just when something happens to remove Brandon from their lives and she thinks everything might be turning around, Logan makes his move. As their relationship develops, Logan's control over Delilah tightens, and dark secrets and violent decisions send both characters into a complex, dangerous spiral. At one point, as she thinks about her mother's previous relationship and her own, Delilah's web search about stalkers leads her to a description of erotomania. Set against a Northern California private school backdrop, the sensational plot is riddled with twists that come at a furious pace. Chapters alternate between Logan's and Delilah's perspectives, providing insight into their motives as well as shifting feelings of revulsion and admiration for each. The drama builds to a shocking, albeit abrupt, ending. Delilah is the stronger, more compelling protagonist when compared to Logan's less nuanced development. Sophie was Japanese American, and Delilah is biracial with a Chinese Singaporean dad and White American mom; Logan is assumed White. A suspenseful page-turner. (Thriller. 14-18)

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