Published in 2010, Intertwined is a young adult novel from the height of the Twilight craze. However, this book doesn’t just have vampires and werewolves; it has witches, goblins, fairies–oh and did I mention zombies? Yes, it has it all.  One slight deviation from the traditional YA formula of that literary era is that there is not a love triangle.  There are definite couples and love interests with a little bit of jealousy sprinkled in, but no true love triangle.

The main character, Aden, is likeable and his situation is the most unique aspect of the book.  He seems to be sharing his body with four identities or voices that have made his life a train wreck.  These four voices each come with an ability.

This is pure, unadulterated teen fare with all the teen drama and emotions.  Fans of Twilight will be the most likely to enjoy, but others may find it a bit much.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  53 religious exclamations; 6 mild obscenities; 2 derogatory names; 1 scatological word; 3 anatomical terms.

Violence/Gore:  Report kid stabbed with fork; report someone was going to execute their wife; 3 paragraphs of descriptive vampire blood drinking; 2 page fist fight, punching, blood; character drinks another’s blood to heal; report of killing by an 8-year-old who was in training; report of bodies found chewed up; extended battle scene with zombies, a little gross description of decaying bodies, decapitation, etc.; threats; injury from a bite; threatening animal presence; statement about drinking blood/prophecy; 2-3 page fight, descriptive, resulting in injuries; threat with gun; passionate kiss (descriptive) w/blood drinking following; scene of a vampire feeding, blood on face; characters are bound (one is dead) and are a meal for vampires; magic curse; report of magic curse; extended multi-page fight scene with blood and gore, stabbing, drinking blood, etc.

Sex/Nudity:  Sexual references to hooking up, scoping/checking out, hot, horny, wanting to get in someone’s pants, knocking up, wet dreams, the “sex talk”; visions of kissing; touching character’s hair, waist, face; discussions about girl sleeping with guys and admission of pregnancy; characters have feelings of attractions for other characters; kissing; passionate kissing; admire another in a swimsuit; extended passionate kiss (descriptive) w/blood drinking following; characters embrace in bed; reference to mating; flirtatious banter and professions of love/adoration; report of teen prengancy and shotgun wedding; character is naked when transforming.

Mature Subject Matter:

Paranormal, murder, parental abandonment, juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancy, mental illness, foster care, bullying.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Teenagers smoke pot; report that teen smoked weed in the past; teenager smokes; sale of drugs.