Wordless

Gr 9 Up—Trash collector Tavin Barnes always seems to get the short end of the stick—until the beautiful Khaya demands he smuggle her out of confinement. Khaya is a godlike Word, a near-perfect being with the power of life at her fingertips. Tavin risks everything he has, which isn't much, to free Khaya from the evil government's plots and experiments. Together they'll discover a secret world behind the one they knew: a world rife with hidden lies, money, and a lust for power. This dystopian adventure is sure to entertain fans of James Dashner's "The Maze Runner" series (Delacorte) and Paolo Bacigalupi's Ship Breaker (Little, Brown, 2010). Wordless draws readers in to a complex and fascinating future, where magic is real, science is failing, and everyone must fight for their own survival. Tavin's often humorous and matter-of-fact point of view is particularly appealing, while the privileged and powerful Khaya provides a unique contrast to his unfortunate upbringing and poor lifestyle. While the action is exciting, the setting interesting, and the characters somewhat compelling, the novel suffers from a plodding writing style that may deter readers. Recommended for collections with a strong fanbase in political and environmental dystopias.—Eden Rassette, Kenton County Public Library, KY