Death Marked

Gr 7 Up—In this thrilling sequel to Death Sworn (HarperCollins/Greenwillow, 2013), Ileni has been separated from the dreamy and dark-eyed assassin Sorin in order to fulfill her destiny. In the midst of dangerous spell weavers, the formerly powerful sorceress has returned to the Empire that exiled her to infiltrate the Imperial Academy. The institution is where the best enchanters in the land train and hone their skills under the unforgiving hand of Karyn and the strongest learn to wield their power and serve the Empire. The protagonist hopes to destroy the Empire from within. But in the middle of her enemy's heart, she starts to doubt everything she's been raised to believe. Appealing to fans of Robin LaFevers's "His Fair Assassin" series and Kristin Cashore's Graceling (both Houghton Harcourt), there is some violence, but nothing too graphic. This novel will especially be appreciated by readers who enjoyed Cypess's previous volumes.—Clair Segal, LREI, New York City