Warrior of the Wild

Gr 8 Up—Rasmira is the daughter of a high-ranking village leader and is training to become a warrior to keep her small village safe from the monsters that lurk in the forest. During her trial, Rasmira realizes that she has been sabotaged, but when no one, including her father, believes her, she is banished from her village. Before she can return, Rasmira must kill Peruxolo, the village's oppressive god. As Rasmira goes through stages of betrayal and hopelessness, she meets two boys who have also been banished from a nearby village. Over time, Rasmira and the boys form a friendship, and she begins to understand that to complete her task and survive in the forest, she must learn to trust others. Levenseller's series opener presents a female warrior who refuses to believe that crying makes one weak and that strength is not feminine. Through Rasmira's inner monologue, teens will learn that teamwork and friendship are important and that failure makes one strong. This high-octane novel is filled with mythical creatures and showcases a heroine who wants to be a warrior, a woman, and a leader. These themes will resonate with many teens, even if the story line is familiar.