The Prince of Mis by Carlos ruiz Zafon

This is a book that I picked up as a quick read from my school book fair.  I try to read quite a few from it so I can point kids in the right direction while attending the book fair. This was a pretty good supernatural, scary, thriller, mystery.  It reminded me of a book I've read called The Stone Child.  It's aimed for young adults but I really enjoyed it.  It follows a supernatural evil who knows what as it makes "deals" with people.  It grants people their wishes and in return asks for a favor.  Usually it is in the form of a life, like the wishers or their first born.  The author gives you a story vague enough to wonder whats going on but not too vague to leave you completely lost and not understanding. You never really quite find out what exactly "The Prince of Mist" is as you'll find out towards the end of the story that he mentions he is called by many names.  He does mention that he is evil and from Hell.  At first I thought maybe vampire but then it just doesn't give you a definitive answer.  But the story is mainly about a business deal that was struck and didn't come to fruition so The Prince of Mist is out to get what is his.  And all the while two kids, Alicia and Max are trying to unravel the mystery.  Max figures out that everything is revolving around a five pointed gold star.  He figures everything out too late though...I'm not giving you the ending of the story though!  At the end of this story there is a Q and A session with the Carlos and James Patterson.  It was really good because you get an insight of why Carlos left things so vague and what his reasoning were for the setting.  It was very interesting to get inside his head.  James Patterson asked some great questions.  Carlos did mention that this is the first book in a trilogy but that they don't necessarily drop off and let the other pick right back up.  It's more of a companion trilogy in that it's the same aesthetic with a supernatural evil against good.  After the story there is a sneak peek at the next book, The Midnight Palace, which is already published. The third book is September Lights.  I would read the others but they're not high on my list right now.  This book was perfect for younger readers though.  Happy Reading!