Prophecy

Gr 9 Up—Hansong is one of seven ancient kingdoms undergoing infiltration by imps and demons. Kira is a demon slayer, gifted with special abilities since birth. She's sworn to protect her cousin, the crown prince of Hansong. Kira's dreams, along with an ancient prophecy, point toward an all-out war, with only one chance for the survival of the human race. So when their kingdom is overtaken by a traitorous lord, Kira and a small gang of loyal friends begin a quest to discover the foretold savior and revenge their families, while saving the world they know. Since the townspeople have no knowledge of the demon threat, Kira is perceived as an assassin instead of a protector. Being feared and hated has been a part of her life since she was a baby. The author's exploration of Kira's realistically complex identity is compelling, and the themes of self-acceptance and self-worth are strong. While clearly a coming-of-age story, at its heart, this is a true adventure novel. The characters are well drawn, the plot is both well conceived and fast moving, and the ending is just satisfying enough, while still leaving readers ready for a sequel.—Sunnie Sette, New Haven Public Library, CT