At first glance, Cathy Vickers appears to be your average teenage girl, complete with family problems, failed relationships, and a knack for art.  Once introduced to the heroine, however, readers are left with a completely different impression of the teenage talent as she gets caught up in the underworld of criminal masterminds, hired hit men, and immortal souls who present themselves in the form of disappearing boyfriend and father.

Cathy’s Ring, the latest installment in the trilogy written by Sean Stewart and Jordan Weisman, takes its readers on an interactive journey complete with working cellphone numbers and web addresses that help the story progress as Cathy and her friends — Victor, Denny, Emma, and Pete — search to destroy Ancestor Lu and the evil empire that he worked hard to build.

Full of eye-catching graphics, cool visual aids, and adventure on every page, Cathy’s Ring is action-packed and appropriate for any age group who appreciates a good mystery.  The writers’ use of language is young and fresh, and the storyline progresses in a way that is believable and keeps its readers on the edge of their seats following Cathy’s angst-filled life.  Her aching for former love, the immortal Victor, is trumped by her newfound passion for her mortal beau, Denny.

The inspiration for the Cathy character is ultra-cool South African Cathy Brigg.  Up until now, her identity was a mystery, but with the upcoming release of the book, it only seemed fitting that the co-author and illustrator of Cathy’s Book, Cathy’s Key, and Cathy’s Ring reveal herself, much to the delight of hardcore fans of the series.

Taking Young Adult Fiction to another level, Cathy’s Ring is sure to garner rave reviews from teenagers and adults alike.  Possessing the same kind of appeal as Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series, the book translates well to anyone who enjoys a good read and fun, likeable characters.