Fireborn

September 1, 2021
An unnamed warrior-child in training needs to defeat the inner demons that enrage her. Twelve is an acolyte of the Hunters, a group of warriors who sever all prior ties, give up their names, and fight the darkness. Despite her prowess in battle, she's friendless, prone to lashing out, and desperate to avoid thinking about her painful past. Her solitude ends when the Hunting Lodge is attacked by goblins--and worse. The only girl Twelve even remotely likes, the worst warrior of them all, is kidnapped, and Twelve hurls herself into the monstrous outer world to save her friend. But it seems she won't be going alone. She's joined by Dog, a massive stone beast, the irritable (and sometimes funny) fighter who guards the lodge. And soon they're also joined by Five and Six, the two most hateful boys among the huntlings. At least Twelve can lean on her squirrel friend, Widge, a gift from kidnapped Seven. The northern wilds are a frozen wasteland filled with terrifying monsters, and if the young warriors are to survive they'll have to learn to trust each other (and themselves). A few threads are left dangling for the next entry in the series. Late-discovered magic provides a deus ex machina in a quest that's otherwise about inner knowledge and cooperation. All the human characters appear to be White. Lovers of bloody fantasy epics will be glad to have another. (Fantasy. 10-13)

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November 24, 2021
Grades 5-8 Twelve gave up her identity and history when she arrived at the lodge to begin training as a Hunter, an elite warrior sworn to protect--and maintain peace between--the seven clans of Ember. The 13-year-old is an extraordinary fighter but less skilled at interpersonal relationships. Except for one curious, dreamy girl called Seven, Twelve avoids bonding with her fellow students and papers over traumatic memories with a prickly demeanor. An unexpected, magical assault on the grounds sees Seven snatched away by goblins with nefarious intentions, and when the grown-ups are too slow to respond, Twelve impulsively follows on a rescue mission. Former tormentors and a sentient stone dog appear as allies, and the motley crew has to unravel the mystery of the attack, free Seven, and learn to trust one another in the process. It's a gripping tale, packed with twisty reveals, spectacularly sinister creatures, elaborate backstories, and surprising humor to lighten the story. This tale of fighting and forgiveness, of revenge and adventure, is a beautiful reminder that there is always time to become the person you truly want to be.

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April 15, 2023
Hunters-in-training travel to the frozen wastes to defeat a great evil. Phoenix (the tween formerly known as Twelve) has a new Hunter name and a shocking fire elemental power, but the world has changed for the worse since the great battle at the Hunting Lodge. When Headwitch Yelara appears, it's the first contact any of the clans have had with the witches for 40 years, and she bears a dire warning. Phoenix and her friends Five, Six, and Seven, who read White, must journey to the great frozen wave of Icegaard to battle the Shadowseam, a terrifying hole in the world. The all-female band of witches have been entirely isolated in the decades since all the adult witches were killed by the Shadowseam; nevertheless, they have children (a diverse trio, one pale and blue-eyed, one olive-skinned, and one with dark brown skin and braids). Phoenix, trying to master her elemental fire and constantly trying to remember monster descriptions from A Magical Bestiary, doesn't notice that Seven is acting strangely. Never fear, the reveal of Seven's behavior at the end of this overlong adventure sets up Phoenix and Seven's next adventure. Like Widge, Phoenix's squirrel friend who exists only to chitter periodically on her shoulder, most characters feel like mere set dressing for Phoenix's quest. Sometimes entertaining but largely underdeveloped and forgettable. (map) (Fantasy. 10-13)

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