Verona Lamberti finds herself counting the days until she can move back home to New York, but in the meantime she is stuck with her mom living in Virginia because of her parents' divorce. It's hard finding her place as the new girl in school, but sitting in class one day her life takes a major turn. She has an out of body experience where her spirit takes eagle form and she finds herself witnessing an accident that hasn't happened yet, but ultimately does. As the visions continue, Verona learns that what she is witnessing is truly evil. When she has a vision where she is the victim will this one come true as well, or will she be able to change the outcome?

High grabbed me from the get go! Even though it's been a few years since I experienced the drama of high school, I found myself drawn right into the high school setting. Verona is a character that was so easy to relate to, she is klutzy, sort of nerdy, and really the last girl who you would ever imagine as homecoming queen! While I enjoyed the characters, it was the story of Verona's gift and paranormal/supernatural elements that kept me wondering what might happen next. The pacing of the story was spot on, there was never an instance where I felt bored. Instead, the author kept me guessing. I found the spiritual references woven into the story perfectly. Instead of being overwhelming it gave more authenticity to the plot.

Ms. Quiram's writing is sharp and descriptive enough, allowing the scenes to form in my head. High isn't just for young readers; the characters are mature enough and the story line is multi-layered enough that anyone who enjoys a well written mystery that has spiritual, supernatural, and paranormal elements is going to be drawn into this book. Parents are going to enjoy the clean romance and positive role models; young readers are going to relate to the characters, enjoy the story and be left wanting more! One can only hope that Ms. Quiram is working on a sequel.

High: The Way of the Eagle is a thrilling fantasy tale by Charlene Quiram. Her book tells the story of Verona Lamberti, a high school student simply trying to make it at her new school in Jamestown, Virginia. She counts down the days until she will graduate and can return to her beloved old home, New York City, but her recent change of schools is not the only change she must survive.

Verona soon finds out that she is part of a core group of individuals that have continuously appeared in times of need. For centuries, during times of potential tragedy, heroes have been called to use special powers that represent the four facets of the cherubim: eagle, angel, lion, and bull. Verona, the eagle, has visions of horror and tragedy that will occur if she can’t use her new found gift to stop them. However, she must find the other members that have been called in order to succeed, and one question looms in her mind: who is the bull, the one willing to sacrifice all for love?

Charlene Quiram immediately drops readers into the action and intrigue of High. This is a welcome change from many young adult novels which try to give you all the back story before excitement occurs. Within the first pages, readers are soaring along with Verona as she discovers her unique ability to see visions and transform her spiritual self into an eagle. It is an excellent way to pull the reader into the story, and Quiram doesn’t loosen her hold on readers until the end of the tale.

Her novel shows readers that our world is not clear cut and there is often more to be seen lurking in the shadows. In Quiram’s world, angels are real and demons are a true threat. I highly recommend this exciting and mysterious fantasy, and I’d love to read more by Charlene Quiram.

Attending a new school is always stressful, but for Verona Lamberti, it represents a totally new life beyond what she could have ever imagined. High: The Way of an Eagle by Charlene Quiram tells the story of Verona and the amazing changes that take place in her life, in herself, and in her entire way of looking at things as she discovers an ability to soar like an eagle and witness tragedies before they occur. Unable to prevent them, she at least can determine what the connection between these events is, which leads her closer to the source. Instead of the misfit she has always felt herself to be, Verona is accepted by the students at a new school and finds herself connected to several of them in an ancient association intended to thwart evil. With the help of these friends and a popular teacher/mentor, Verona encounters students and adults who have allowed themselves to be corrupted by demons. In spite of dangerous confrontations and many near-misses, Verona uncovers a serial killer who is removing obstacles threatening his greed and ambition.

Quiram tells an amazing story in High: The Way of an Eagle. Through the eyes and efforts of a group of teens embodying the characteristics of an ancient force for good, evil is rooted out and destroyed. The use of ancient lore, mythology, and biblical references add tremendous depth to the events in this book; and provide the basis for a lesson about good and evil that is strong yet subtle, woven naturally into the thoughts, conversations and actions of the characters. There is a power in friendship that enables these teens to accomplish a truly remarkable task.

Verona Louise Lamberti goes into some type of out of body journey as an eagle during a quiz in her class. As much as she enjoys the flight, she unwillingly experiences a car wreck that severely injures a cheerleader from her school. When she figures out the accident did happen, Verona starts to question her bizarre vision. When a nonsensical suicide and vicious murder follow suit, the sixteen-year-old is about to discover a truth about herself and a mysterious realm. High: The Way of an Eagle is a gripping horror story written by Charlene Quiram.

There is a lot in High apart from it being a young adult horror novel. There are authentic insights into a fascinating mystical element in relation to ancient sacred forces. Charlene Quiram knows her craft well, thus it is hard to believe that this is her first book. Her prose has subtlety combined with breath-taking pacing as well as an excellent plot. Personally, I think Charlene Quiram has become an important name in the genre.

Particularly enjoyable in this horror tale is the sharp dialogue; it is clear that Quiram is pretty good at yanking the heartstrings in different ways. The characters are perfect as Quiram keeps them believable; a welcome relief compared to the usual YA fiction fluff. The ending is faultless enough for the readers to crave more exciting works from her. Overall, this is a brilliant horror tale that should appeal not just to YA readers but all book lovers as well.