The Companion
by Katie Alender
Mystery
Suspense
Thriller
Teen
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
After a terrible car accident leaves Margot an orphan, she is taken in by a wealthy family who knew her father. Thinking she has found a new home, Margot discovers that her role is different than she expected. The Suttons’ hospitality is conditional. They expect Margot to be a companion to their teenage daughter, Agatha, who has a mysterious illness that has completely transformed her personality (from normal, outgoing teen girl to vacant, listless, and uncommunicative). Margot doesn’t actually mind being a friend to Agatha – they are nearly the same age and spending time with her isn’t too demanding. But as time goes on, life with the Suttons becomes stranger and smaller. Margot has been cut off from the outside with no access to the Internet, she’s not allowed to choose her own clothes, her friendship with their son is nipped in the bud, and she’s informed that she will be homeschooled (kept away from other kids her own age). Meanwhile, Agatha is struggling to tell Margot something important. What the heck is going on? Reminiscent of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic books, with a creepy, unhinged guardian that is convinced she knows best. Readers will probably guess what’s going on, but won’t want to miss the unfolding of events.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
