No Returns

by Gail Giles, Deb Vanasse

Gail Giles (Shattering Glass, What Happened to Cass McBride, Girls Like Us) returns with another winner to entrance readers young and old, an adventure that pits a boy band against the devil.

Pod does card tricks to prove he’s in control. Flaco is rich and loyal beyond words to his abuelo. Manny is desperate to get out of his Bar Mitzvah. Together, what these misfits want most is for their fledgling band to get noticed. When their made-up song conjures a strange man in Pod’s ancient barn, fame follows so fast it’s scary. How much is talent and how much is from something they don’t understand? They want to think Fred is anything but a demon, but as strange things pour from the sound hole of Pod’s guitar, they have to face the fact that they may have accidently inked a deal with the devil. Success, family, friends—even their very souls are at risk unless they can find a way out.

“The first movement in an ambitious song cycle of a tale” Kirkus Reviews

234 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2014

About the author

Gail Giles is the author of six young adult novels. Her debut novel, Shattering Glass, was an ALA Best of the Best Book, a Book Sense 76 selection, and a Booklist Top 10 Mystery for Youth selection. The novel is about an high school boy named Simon Glass that is helped to become one of the most popular dogs in school by other students. Her second novel, Dead Girls Don’t Write Letters, was an ALA Top 10 Quick pick (2003) and a Book Sense 76 selection. Her third novel, Playing in Traffic, is an epic story about a boy trying to help a gothic girl.

She is a former high school teacher who grew up in Texas and now lives there happily with her husband, two dogs, and three cats. Gail has one son and two grandsons.

Reviews

[Emily❤︎ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm I was lost… that’s all I got to say

[Wendy Mccarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first began reading this book, I didn't like it. Based in a world of magic, it is felt dark and eerie. In the words of Pod, the lead character, it is in that "part of the hole that's always half empty." As I continued to read, however, I began to see the story's strengths in reaching deep concerns of it's target audience: young people in their early teens.

Set in a world of a card-playing crow, a strange little man with bejeweled fingers who appears in a poof, and butterflies that swarm on the sound of a song, it provides multiple layers of meaning. Beneath the surface of magic and illusion lie explorations of "sorrow, pride, joy, fear, and hope," to again quote Pod. As they explore these complex emotions, the authors skilfully weave between fantasy and reality. They use rich allusions from vintage movies to Faust, bringing depth and content as they illuminate the struggles and concerns of their characters. Though dealing with the age-old struggle of good versus evil, the characters are not bland. They are very real, sneak out at night, hide tattoos from their parents, and try to fit into the social scene at school, becoming more complex as the story evolves.

The mood is lifted through the colorful wording used by the authors: Manny couldn't tune a car horn, Pod "sweats puddles," and there's a rat named "Prince of Gnaws!" Additionally, throughout are provocative statements capable of supporting important discussions. "You can want something without ever going after it. It's safer that way."

In the end, I am giving "No Returns" a five-star rating for two reasons. (1) It is capable of meeting the needs of its target audience by speaking to many of the concerns often not openly addressed and (2) It is extremely well written, providing a rich reading experience.

[Khalia Hades · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the development of the Pod character. The book fleshes him out nicely and as the book progresses I feel more and more sympathetic to him. Set in a world of a card-playing crow, a strange little man with bejeweled fingers who appears in a poof, and butterflies that swarm on the sound of a song, it provides multiple layers of meaning. Beneath the surface of magic and illusion lie explorations of "sorrow, pride, joy, fear, and hope," to again quote Pod. As they explore these complex emotions, the authors skilfully weave between fantasy and reality. They use rich allusions from vintage movies to Faust, bringing depth and content as they illuminate the struggles and concerns of their characters. Though dealing with the age-old struggle of good versus evil, the characters are not bland. They are very real, sneak out at night, hide tattoos from their parents, and try to fit into the social scene at school, becoming more complex as the story evolves.

Gail Giles and Deb Vanasse have teamed up to write a seamless story. Myth and magic, humor and mystery and suspense blend together in this tale of what it means to want something so bad you are willing to do anything, and the price you pay in so doing.

But be warned; once you start reading you don’t want to stop until the end.

[Louis Lehmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No Returns" immediately captured my attention with its vivid sensory imagery, masterfully sustained throughout the book. The story focuses on the relationship of Pod, Flaco, and Manny; three musically ambitious thirteen-year-old in a band where their ill-advised creativity accidentally ensnares them with unexpected demonic forces personified in Fred, a Cagney-like creature reflecting some of Pod's secret fears. Pod's narration reveals how the three boys struggle with temptation, confusion, and fear as the creature bestows success and fame upon the band at the price of increasing danger. Their struggles with Fred are complicated by their conflicts with one another, by their vacillating relationships with schoolmates, and by family problems which severely limit support from those sources. But they are not entirely alone as their school librarian emerges as a surprisingly strong ally as they face difficult decision. Suspense continues throughout the book as the stage is set for further adventures, some of which may involve Pod's missing mother. I'm eager to see what comes next.

[Teresa Ascone · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Returns by Deb Vanasse and Gail Giles is a fabulous beginning to a new series of boy-adventure books, The Battleband Saga. It has all the best elements of the genre: rough camaraderie, excellent character introduction and development, and enough excitement (based upon supernatural interference in the battle of bands) to carry the story along at a fast pace. It's a peek into the world of boys and their music - with a bit of mystery and a brush with the devil thrown in. I was fortunate to receive a complimentary advance reading copy of the book, and it was hard to put down.
The three boys (average, but you can tell they feel like losers), Manny, Flaco and Pod, start a band in the large, spooky barn on Pod's property.
Just as hundreds of other young boys do, they seek fame, adventure and adoration--especially from girls. Through supernatural means, they receive all of the above with unexpected and some very unwelcome results.
This story is a definite winner. I want to see what happens next to Pod, Manny and Flaco - and I will be looking for the next book in the series.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a junior high teacher who has read countless YA novels, I feel confident in asserting that this book is one teens will love. The characters are fleshed out with the perfect amount of detail, and the story is suspenseful and engaging. Three middle school boys have a band that sings an invitation for success and unwittingly makes a Faustian pact with an agent of the devil who resembles James Cagney. While this is obviously a start of a series, it could be read as a stand alone book.

This book was given in exchange for an honest review.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings to life characters that are generally set in more mature books but the author actually puts them in and makes them work. The characters all have a life of their own yet come together nicely. The conflict of morals, feelings and just what is right and wrong is good in this book. It did take a bit for me to get into the book but overall it was a great read. would recommend this to anyone over age 12 due to the concept of the book it may be hard for some younger readers to understand and may even be a bit graphic for anyone under 12.

[Cait S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a little surprised by the high ratings of this book. Granted there aren't many reviews at all but still...all fours and fives. This is my second Gail Giles book, I just read Shattering Glass a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately I can't say the same here.

The book was incredibly slow moving, no real plot or character development to speak of. It was just boring, to be honest with you. If there are more in this series, I won't be picking them up.

[♞ Pat Gent · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's kind of a cool concept. Modern day Faust does high school band and popularity contest. Nothing complicated or too terribly thought provoking, and it ends predictably, but it's still a cute read.