These Rebel Waves

May 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-On Grace Loray, an island rich with botanical magic, the lives of three teens intersect in ways that will change them forever. Benat is the crown prince of Argrid, a zealously religious kingdom that vehemently declares all magic evil. Devereux is a raider who sells the island's magical plants on the black market. Seventeen-year-old Adeluna is a former child soldier of the Grace Loray revolution against the Argridian oppressors. The war against Argrid is over, but when an Argridian official is kidnapped, old hostilities are ignited. Desperate to prevent war, Adeluna enlists the help of Devereux to clear the raiders of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Benat is drawn to magic and questions whether or not it is evil. Raasch has created an intricate world of magical flora as well as a complex political structure. Unfortunately, the protagonists who populate this world fall short. Despite fully fleshed-out histories and characterization, the characters come across as automatons in their dialogue and actions. Adeluna is a take-no-prisoners heroine who also happens to be a brilliant magical botanist. Benat is gay and in a clandestine relationship, but is hiding it because he's with someone of a lower class (same-sex relationships are completely accepted). These factors almost make up for the stilted characterizations. This, along with the well-crafted nuances of the setting, will enthrall many readers until the book's dramatic cliff-hanger ending. VERDICT Short on characterization but long on scene, setting, and diversity, this book will charm readers with its constructed universe.-Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2018
Magic, politics, and religion collide in unexpected ways in this action-packed fantasy adventure.Adeluna "Lu" Andreu thought the war was behind her, but once a soldier, always a soldier. With the capture of Devereux "Vex" Bell, one of the island's most notorious unaligned raiders, the careful treaty about to be signed between Grace Loray and their enemy, Argrid, quickly falls apart, leaving the fragile new government in disarray. Argrid hopes to take advantage of this moment to resume control of Grace Loray and its supply of magical plants. Botanical magic that can heal wounds, give strength, or cause explosions could turn the tide of the inevitable war. While outwardly pious and opposed to magic, crown prince Benat "Ben" Gallego knows more about the subject than any loyal citizen should and risks being labeled a heretic, with potentially devastating consequences. Readers will cheer on Lu, Vex, and Ben as they try to come to terms with their pasts to decide who they want to become and what role they want to play in the coming violence. While the pacing can be uneven, there is enough action and intrigue to keep readers invested. Strong, smart female characters lead the revolution, and romance (both straight and gay) is hinted at without distracting from the story. Characters' complexions range from pale to dark brown.A cliffhanger ending will leave readers excited for the second installment in this duology. (Fantasy. 13-adult)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 1, 2018
Grades 8-12 In the devout country of Argrid, the people worship the Pious God, and magic is punishable by death. Crown Prince Benat watched his beloved uncle and cousin burn to death for disobeying his father's laws, and Ben has kept his own interest in the forbidden magic a secret?until his father gives him an unexpected task. On the island of Grace Loray, once oppressed by Argrid but now free, magic flourishes even as political relations remained strained. Adeluna, the daughter of politicians, helped Grace Loray fight for its freedom when she was just a child. When a diplomat vanishes during the peace talks between Grace Loray and Argrid, it could all be for nothing. Lu forms an uneasy alliance with Devereux, a notorious pirate who sells Grace Loray's magical plants on the black market and has his own reasons for getting involved. This first in a duology is an action-packed political thriller filled with betrayal, plot twists, and touches of romance. Fans of Raasch's previous work (the Snow like Ashes series) will feel at home here.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)