Renegade

Gr 7–10—The action doesn't skip a beat in this gripping conclusion to the "Elemental" trilogy (Dial). Thomas and the others are on the ship they used to escape from Fort Sumter at the end of Firebrand (Dial, 2013), and are heading north towards Roanoke, with Thomas's uncle Dare still in hot pursuit. The teen and his friends hatch a plan to switch ships with Dare and outrun him to get back to Roanoke to find Thomas's mother. The plan seems to have worked, but at Roanoke a new obstacle appears: a child with a new Element that gives him control over the Plague-ridden rats, enabling him to force the rats—and their fatal disease—upon humans like a weapon. And, while it appears that Thomas's brother Griffin may be the Solution to the Plague, that may not be enough to stop Dare's renegade pirates from destroying everyone's only chance at survival. There is no rest from the action in this exciting last installment. Revelations come quickly and plentifully, and yet they are incorporated well in the story. Characters are not without their flaws, but these flaws are realistic, and the growth of the protagonist, especially the younger ones, is evident. Fans will not be disappointed.—Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ