March 1, 2020
Gr 8 Up-The Kingdom of Erdis is under the rule of the tyrannical King Mattheus Lyandor. However, a rebellion is brewing, and wealthy brothers Darek and Markus believe they have just the right weapon in Ren Kolins, a pit fighter who has the rare magical power to wield silver. But the king and his brutal soldiers, known as the King's Children, are aware of the rising influence of the rebels. Adley Farre, a strong and sharp King's Children soldier, will stop at nothing to become the King's Fang, as this is her only chance to eventually escape Erdis and to be with the person who she really loves. When Adley is right on the brink of figuring out the rebel's main influencers, time becomes more desperate for Darek, Markus, Ren, and their sympathizers. They need to overthrow a king, and they need to do it soon, as political tensions both inside and outside of the kingdom are rising. Then Ren becomes more aware of her powers, the rebel leaders gain unlikely allies, and secrets become unveiled. The rebels begin to feel that they have a chance, although the king and his sons can be unpredictable in their courses of action. The multiple perspectives with morally complex key players make it hard for readers to sympathize with some of the characters, but the adventure story is gripping, and the plot threads come together well at the end. The representation of queer characters and cunning female characters adds to the novel's appeal. VERDICT This book will appeal to readers of dark YA fantasy and adventure who also enjoy plot-driven novels.-Margaret A. Robbins, University of Georgia, Athens
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
December 15, 2020
Young rebels set out to change their world and discover themselves along the way. In the dreary city of Denfell, part of the kingdom of Erdis, which is ruled by King Mattheus Lyandor, a ruthless, power-crazed monarch, live silver wielder Ren, brothers Darek and Markus, rebel-hunter Adley, and young Prince Kellen. Each is on their own journey in search of freedom from an oppressive rule before their stories become intertwined. Caustic Ren is kidnapped by Markus and Darek--who are leading the rebellion to overthrow the Lyandor dynasty. They hope to convince her, as the last surviving silver wielder following the infamous Silver Purge, to be the face of their cause. Adley belongs to the lethal King's Children--a group consisting of kidnapped and abandoned youths trained in deadly service to the king. In love with another girl but prohibited from having relationships by her position, she longs to be free by crushing the rebellion and being made the King's Fang. Kellen just wants to learn where he fits in as the second-born heir to the throne. Through blunt, third-person-omniscient narration, their stories unfold, blending political intrigue, romance, and gruesome violence. Readers looking for a fast-paced fantasy with light worldbuilding and social-class commentary will enjoy this novel. The cast has varying skin tones. An engrossing story about the overthrow of a tyrannical kingdom. (Fantasy. 14-18)
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