Crystal Blade

Gr 9 Up—This follow-up to Burning Glass begins a few weeks after the first book ends, with Sonya and Anton working to build a new government for Riaznin and celebrating their newfound love. Only beginning to develop the strength of her powers, Sonya is fighting to avoid succumbing to the darkness and to push toward the best path for Riaznin. Anton has been elected governor and is working hard for stability, but he is also concerned with hiding the depth of Sonya's powers from others. When Sonya betrays him, what will happen to her, Riaznin, and all she holds dear? The novel is well paced, Riaznin is intriguing, and characters continue to develop, leaving something for readers to discover. Teens will find the same mystery and intrigue as in the last outing, with even more passion and betrayal in this volume. This entry ends in a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger, which will keep fans anticipating the final chapter of the trilogy.