Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution

Gr 8 Up–A thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure for fans of Marie Lu’s “Legend” series. With a sweeping cast of distinct characters, the novel dives into the rich world of Upper and Lower Earth on the brink of war. Nineteen-year-old Raisa, a dutiful and privileged daughter of Upper Earth, and Lein, the crown prince of the volatile Lower Earth, are about to enter an arranged marriage to unite their two disparate worlds and end the impending war between their people. Then Raisa goes missing a week before their wedding. Twins Nada and Nayf, 19, are determined to spark a revolution before their cousin Lein can unite with Upper Earth and use ALIGN technology to oppress and enslave their people. Sparks fly when Raisa and Nyaf meet—a star-crossed romance in the making—but with Prince Lein willing to do anything to get his bride back, all eyes are hunting the rebels. Ali’s first foray into YA dystopia has a meticulous storyline and rich worldbuilding with Islamic influence. The novel is filled with lore, making reference to present-day politics that ground the worldbuilding in believable details that evolve into well-executed themes: revolution, exploitation, and surveillance are vital to both characters and plot. Nothing is wasted as Ali balances a wide cast of characters and various subplots to create a propulsive duology opener that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next book.