

Like most issue books, this is not an easy read, but it's poignant and transcendent as Charlie breaks more and more before piecing herself back together. Through intense, diarylike chapters chronicling Charlie's journey, the author captures the brutal and heartbreaking way "girls who write their pain on their bodies" scar and mar themselves, either succumbing or surviving. Feeling rejected, Charlie, an artist, is drawn into a destructive new relationship with her sexy older co-worker, a "semifamous" local musician who's obviously a junkie alcoholic. But things don't go as planned in the Arizona desert, because sweet Mikey just wants to be friends. After spending time in treatment with other young women like her-who cut, burn, poke, and otherwise hurt themselves-Charlie is released and takes a bus from the Twin Cities to Tucson to be closer to Mikey, a boy she "like-likes" but who had pined for Ellis instead. Seventeen-year-old Charlie Davis, a white girl living on the margins, thinks she has little reason to live: her father drowned himself her bereft and abusive mother kicked her out her best friend, Ellis, is nearly brain dead after cutting too deeply and she's gone through unspeakable experiences living on the street. Characters’ complexions range from pale to dark brown.Ī cliffhanger ending will leave readers excited for the second installment in this duology.Īfter surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself. Strong, smart female characters lead the revolution, and romance (both straight and gay) is hinted at without distracting from the story. While the pacing can be uneven, there is enough action and intrigue to keep readers invested. 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 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. Botanical magic that can heal wounds, give strength, or cause explosions could turn the tide of the inevitable war.

Argrid hopes to take advantage of this moment to resume control of Grace Loray and its supply of magical plants. 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. Magic, politics, and religion collide in unexpected ways in this action-packed fantasy adventure.Īdeluna “Lu” Andreu thought the war was behind her, but once a soldier, always a soldier.
