Bloodkin

March 3, 2014
While this trilogy opener lacks some of the poetry and complexity of Atwater-Rhodes’s Kiesha’ra series, it effectively explores the perils of hierarchy and the importance of independent thought. Set in the author’s empire of Midnight in the year 1803, this coming-of-age tale introduces 14-year-old shape-shifter Vance, who idolizes the vampires who raised him. However, an exposition-heavy encounter with witty outcast Malachi Obsidian shows him that not everyone supports their slave-based empire. Though Vance’s initial naïveté frustrates, vivid secondary characters maintain interest; fans of Midnight Predator will enjoy the reappearance of Jeshickah, the whip-wielding vampire ruler of Midnight, and Jaguar, Vance’s irreverent mentor. As Vance moves in Jeshickah’s circles for the first time, he cannot ignore the slaves’ blighted lives, memorably illustrated when Jaguar instructs him to cut one to test his blood-linked magic. Midnight’s shape-shifter opponents are equally unscrupulous, using Vance as a plague vector to infect vampires and slaves alike. “es, I’m manipulating you,” Malachi admits. “I’m fairly certain that’s almost all that anyone does to you.” Agendas collide in an intrigue-filled, unpredictable climax. Ages 12–up.

February 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Kadee Obsidian has seen and done more in her 16 years than many have in their lifetimes. As a young child, she was plagued by seizures that her human parents could not understand or control. Weak and very ill, Kadee is taken in and raised by the Shantel and the serpiente. While she is offered many opportunities, she always feels like an outsider, never accepted or fully trusted. In an effort to control her own destiny, Kadee joins the Obsidian guild, whose focus is to destroy the world of Midnight (a vampire society) and bring an end to vampire tyranny. But as plans are set in motion, difficult decisions must be reached and sacrifices need to be made. How far is Kadee willing to go as she struggles to keep her humanity, pride, and ideals intact? In this second installment in the trilogy, Atwater-Rhodes thickens the plot and carefully crafts a tale of suspense and intrigue. The colorful cast of characters adds depth to the fast-paced narrative about shape-shifters. Kadee is a likable and strong protagonist and her relationship with Vance Ehecatl-who was prominently featured in Bloodwitch (2014)-is complex. The cliff-hanger ending provides an ideal segue for the final chapter in this series. VERDICT Fans of Atwater-Rhodes paranormal romances will not be disappointed.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2015
Grades 8-11 Continuing the Maeve'ra trilogy where Bloodwitch (2014) left off, Atwater-Rhodes quickly introduces readers to Kadee, a shape-shifter of the Obsidian guild. Once a human girl stolen from her father, Kadee is now strong and proud of her hard-fought place in the guild. Called a traitor and blamed for an abundance of wrongdoing in Midnight (only some of which she's actually guilty of), she must defend her family and decide what's worth fighting for. Like all of Atwater-Rhodes' heroines, Kadee is brave and brash but still has realistic doubts. Fans of the first volume will appreciate this solid follow-up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2015
In book two, Kadee and Vance have been asked to broker a peace deal between the vampires and the magical Shantel by offering Kadee's friend, a Shantel prince, as a slave. How all the factions relate to one another remains confusing, and unclear world-building leaves the narrative with a convoluted plot, but the fast pace may hold some readers' interest.

(Copyright 2015 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)