Face the Night

Gr 9 Up–This action-adventure fantasy-Western will engage young adult readers with its fast-paced chapters, great dialogue, and well-developed characters. Readers meet Catriona Macgregor when she is about to be hanged for cattle raids, coach robberies, and many other crimes committed with the Wolves, her adopted band of friends led by Amos. Cat has been on the run for years, and despite the premonitory visions granted her by the Saints, she can’t escape her past this time. A representative of the Ordonian Empire has come to take her back to Saint’s Landing to stand in judgment for her crimes. Characters from the past flow back into her life, and Cat is forced to make harder and harder decisions to stay alive, questioning the value of family, friendship, and the sacrifices that must be made for both. Fans of Hanna Howard’s Ignite the Sun and Moira Young’s Blood Red Road will fall in love with Cat as she figures out how to survive while staying faithful to herself, family, friends, and ideals. This is an excellent addition to any library shelf, but will especially resonate with teens looking for a strong female protagonist, a lot of action, and just the right amount of campy humor.