Raybearer

Raybearer
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher: Abrams
Total Pages: 408
Release: 2020-08-18
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1683357191

Named one of the best books of the year by People Magazine, Buzzfeed, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and more! "Dazzling... All hail Raybearer." --Entertainment Weekly "One of the most exceptional YA fantasies of all time." --Buzzfeed "Brilliantly conceived fantasy." --People "An exquisitely detailed world." --PopSugar Fans of Sabaa Tahir and Tomi Adeyemi won't want to miss this instant New York Times bestselling fantasy from breakout YA sensation Jordan Ifueko! Nothing is more important than loyalty. But what if you've sworn to protect the one you were born to destroy? Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince's Council of 11. If she’s picked, she'll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won't stand by and become someone’s pawn--but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself? With extraordinary world-building and breathtaking prose, Raybearer is the story of loyalty, fate, and the lengths we're willing to go for the ones we love.

Redemptor

Redemptor
Author: Jordan Ifueko
Publisher:
Total Pages: 400
Release: 2021-08
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 9781471410130

The Sunbearer Trials

The Sunbearer Trials
Author: Aiden Thomas
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Total Pages: 403
Release: 2022-09-06
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1250822149

Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican-inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, the New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys. “Only the most powerful and honorable semidioses get chosen. I’m just a Jade. I’m not a real hero.” As each new decade begins, the Sun’s power must be replenished so that Sol can keep traveling along the sky and keep the chaotic Obsidian gods at bay. Sol selects ten of the most worthy semidioses to compete in the Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all—they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body melted down to refuel the Sun Stones, protecting the world for another ten years. Teo, a seventeen-year-old Jade semidiós and the trans son of the goddess of birds, isn't worried about the Trials . . . at least, not for himself. His best friend, Niya is a Gold semidiós and a shoo-in for the Trials, and while he trusts her abilities, the odds of becoming the sacrifice is one-in-ten. But then, for the first time in over a century, the impossible happens. Sol chooses not one, but two Jade competitors. Teo, and Xio, the thirteen-year-old child of the god of bad luck. Now they must compete in five trials against Gold opponents who are more powerful and better trained. Worst of all, Teo’s annoyingly handsome ex-best friend and famous semidiós Hero, Aurelio is favored to win. Teo is determined to get himself and his friends through the trials unscathed—for fame, glory, and their own survival.

Nana Akua Goes to School

Nana Akua Goes to School
Author: Tricia Elam Walker
Publisher: Anne Schwartz Books
Total Pages: 41
Release: 2020-06-16
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0525581138

Winner of the 2021 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award! In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother--whose face bears traditional tribal markings--to meet her classmates. This is a perfect read for back to school! It is Grandparents Day at Zura's elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them special. Aleja's grandfather is a fisherman. Bisou's grandmother is a dentist. But Zura's Nana, who is her favorite person in the world, looks a little different from other grandmas. Nana Akua was raised in Ghana, and, following an old West African tradition, has tribal markings on her face. Worried that her classmates will be scared of Nana--or worse, make fun of her--Zura is hesitant to bring her to school. Nana Akua knows what to do, though. With a quilt of traditional African symbols and a bit of face paint, Nana Akua is able to explain what makes her special, and to make all of Zura's classmates feel special, too.

Bright Raven Skies

Bright Raven Skies
Author: Kristina Perez
Publisher: Imprint
Total Pages: 464
Release: 2020-08-25
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1250132886

Bright Raven Skies is the thrilling conclusion to the lush and heart-wrenching romantic fantasy trilogy about ancient magic, warring families, and star-crossed lovers by Kristina Pérez. To save the kingdom, Branwen embraced the darkest aspects of her magic. But she may have lost herself—and the two people she loves most. Tristan and Eseult are missing. As Branwen searches for them, she must hide the truth surrounding their disappearance from both the king and her lover. Above all, she must find the Queen and her Champion first. New and old enemies circle Branwen, clamoring for power and revenge, and threatening to destroy the fragile peace that she has sacrificed everything to secure. An Imprint Book "A feminist triumph... Pérez’s alternative medieval world is immersive and detailed, her prose lush with mystical symbolism." —Kirkus Reviews

The Tropic of Serpents

The Tropic of Serpents
Author: Marie Brennan
Publisher: Tor Books
Total Pages: 332
Release: 2014-03-04
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1429956356

The thrilling adventure of Lady Trent continues in Marie Brennan's Tropic of Serpents . . . Attentive readers of Lady Trent's earlier memoir, A Natural History of Dragons, are already familiar with how a bookish and determined young woman named Isabella first set out on the historic course that would one day lead her to becoming the world's premier dragon naturalist. Now, in this remarkably candid second volume, Lady Trent looks back at the next stage of her illustrious (and occasionally scandalous) career. Three years after her fateful journeys through the forbidding mountains of Vystrana, Mrs. Camherst defies family and convention to embark on an expedition to the war-torn continent of Eriga, home of such exotic draconian species as the grass-dwelling snakes of the savannah, arboreal tree snakes, and, most elusive of all, the legendary swamp-wyrms of the tropics. The expedition is not an easy one. Accompanied by both an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat, merciless fevers, palace intrigues, gossip, and other hazards in order to satisfy her boundless fascination with all things draconian, even if it means venturing deep into the forbidden jungle known as the Green Hell . . . where her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Little Free Library

Little Free Library
Author: Naomi Kritzer
Publisher: Tor Books
Total Pages: 17
Release: 2020-04-08
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1250780624

From the award-wining fantasy author of the Dead Rivers Trilogy, comes Naomi Kritzer's enchanting Tor.com Original short story, "Little Free Library" Upon setting up her own Little Free Library that she built from a kit, Meagan develops an unexpected friendship with a mysterious book borrower. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Shot to Hell

Shot to Hell
Author: William W. Johnstone
Publisher: Pinnacle Books
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2020-01-28
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 0786043695

Johnstone country. Patriots welcome. The Johnstone hero with the heavenly name—and the hellish task of living up to it—Perley Gates—takes on a gang of cold-blooded killers to save the soul of a small Western town . . . They say that home is where the heart is. And no one knows that better than Perley Gates. After helping the lovely Miss Emma Slocum reunite with her sister’s family in Bison Gap, Perley can’t wait to rejoin his own kin at the Triple-G Ranch. No sooner does Perley settle in when he receives an alarming telegram from Bison Gap. Emma’s brother-in-law has been murdered. Her sister wants justice. And Perley is their only hope to get it . . . Perley can’t refuse a family in need. So he saddles up with his salty cowhand Possum Smith and heads to Bison Gap. He notices that the town’s new sheriff is acting suspicious—and likely in cahoots with the local gang of deadly outlaws. In no time at all there’s a target on Perley’s back—and the vicious gang leader is calling all the shots. Justice may be hard to find in a town this wicked. But vengeance is swift—straight out of the Gates . . . Live Free. Read Hard.

Steelstriker

Steelstriker
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Total Pages: 351
Release: 2021-09-28
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1250221730

Praise for the instant New York Times bestseller SKYHUNTER “Riveting.” –POPSUGAR “Action-packed.” –BuzzFeed “Fresh.” –Los Angeles Times “Exhilarating...a rollercoaster of a reading experience.” –The Nerd Daily “My favorite YA of 2020.” —Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series and National Book Award Winner All My Rage Explosive action and swoon-worthy suspense collide in Steelstriker, the riveting conclusion to Marie Lu’s instant New York Times bestseller Skyhunter. The world’s last free nation has fallen. And behind enemy lines, Talin stands alone. With her friends scattered by combat and her mother held captive, Talin has no choice but to submit to the Federation’s experiments and become their most deadly war machine—a Skyhunter. But Red hasn’t given up on Talin. Though the link between them is weak, it could be enough. To find their way back to each other. To reunite the Strikers. To fight back against the Federation, against all odds, against all hope. Because the battle has only just begun.