Waking Fire

January 1, 2023
In a world where dragons are gods and war is closing in, one girl must find the fire within to save those she loves. Sixteen-year-old Naira lives in Lagusa, a secluded desert village, with her parents and twin brother, Nez. Rumors are swirling that Waldyrian warlord Sothpike and his Vra Gool Dambi, an army of the dead, are closing in on Lagusa when Naira ends up trapped outside the village walls. There, she encounters a woman known as the Mistress, a follower of Sothpike who can control the Vra Gool Dambi. Naira narrowly escapes being killed, but the Mistress arrives at Lagusa soon after, demanding that the village folk hand over their children or face an attack. It is up to the people of Lagusa to save themselves, though Naira's world will be permanently altered in the process. This world is dynamic, an original, well-developed, high-fantasy setting. Details flesh out the lore well, such as when Naira prays with her father and lights incense or when she learns why the village people burn their dead. The action scenes are captivating and propel the story forward. Louise's attempts at romance are not as successful, however. Naira's and Nez's respective romantic storylines feel forced, with accelerated timelines that come across as juvenile compared to the rest of the novel. The characters have varying shades of brown skin. A vibrant fantasy debut that delivers fast-paced adventure and unexpected surprises. (Fantasy. 13-18)

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January 30, 2023
In Louise’s spirited fantasy debut, 16-year-old Naira Khoum endeavors to protect her loved ones from a despicable warlord’s wrath. Naira’s home, the isolated village of Lagusa on the edge of the desert, has become a refuge to Merza peoples ever since the warlord Sothpike razed their empire 20 years ago. While Lagusa has managed to remain hidden from Sothpike’s treachery, rumors claim that the warlord is on his way to them. Lagusa is soon invaded by the Mistress, one of Sothpike’s mercenaries, and her undead army, come to forcibly draft Lagusa’s children into Sothpike’s militia. Willing to risk everything to save her people, Naira; her twin brother, Nez; and Naira’s crush Kal, a refugee from Merza, join a burgeoning resistance, determined to drive the Mistress out before she can cause further harm. Overwrought expository prose and standard plotting occasionally allay this ambitious series starter. Nevertheless, the lush, South Asia–inspired setting, brimming with cultural and historical references, and viscerally described action sequences make for an immersive, adventure-filled tale. Characters are described as having brown skin and black hair. Ages 13–up. Agent: Claire Friedman, InkWell Management.

February 1, 2023

Gr 8 Up-In a village so far south across the desert that it's rumored to be a myth, Naira Khoum has grown up headstrong and eager to fight. Her father has trained Naira and her twin brother Nez since childhood, teaching them the family ethics of fighting not for power but for what is right. When a legion of undead creatures under the control of a masked woman who calls herself "The Mistress" invade their village, killing their father and anyone who stands against them, Naira refuses to hide safely at home. She convinces Nez to help her in her quest to kill The Mistress and liberate their village. As the narrative progresses, it becomes clear that Naira's importance is not only as a protector of her village, but that she and her brother have a role to play in the larger, ongoing war across the desert. The prologue indicates there are betrayals coming as ancient grudges play out in the lives of Naira and her kin, but the book ends without the anticipated disaster which will, presumably, come in later books in the series. The characters' relationships are particularly rich, especially the bonds Naira feels to her parents and her brother. Although the author kills off one of Naira's parents to propel her into her adventure, Naira's mother is alive and well-developed, providing comfort and support through the book, and there is anticipation of an even larger role in the sequel. VERDICT Purchase for YA fantasy collections and fans of dragons.-Jen McConnel

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