Skylark

Gr 7 Up—Following a cataclysmic war, a great dome powered by human magic was erected to protect survivors. Just outside this barrier stretches an uninhabitable and dangerous wasteland. This is what the Institute, the City's governing body, strictly maintains. When Lark Ainsley, 16, is chosen to have her magic harvested, she discovers this seemingly benign rite of passage is nothing like she expected. Following a series of terrifying ordeals, the teen learns of her rare ability to regenerate magic. Her fate is to become a living battery used to power the Wall. Horrified, Lark escapes and flees into the unknown world beyond the City's boundary. Pursued by the Institute and accompanied by two unlikely traveling companions, Lark journeys across a landscape both treacherous and wondrous seeking the rumored existence of other Renewables. She also hopes to learn what happened to her brother, who mysteriously vanished years earlier. But nothing is as it seems. Is Lark prepared to handle the terrible deceptions her quest eventually uncovers? More importantly, who can she trust? The debut (Carolrhoda, 2012) of Spooner's exciting new trilogy artfully marries elements of dystopian, sci-fi, and steampunk to create a hauntingly mesmerizing story that's sure to strike a chord with fans of all three genres. The author's knack for world-building and character development, combined with a unique plot and first-person narrative, makes this story impossible to put down. These qualities are further enhanced by Angela Lin's emotion-charged reading and spot-on portrayals. Purchase along with the print format—it's sure to popular.—Alissa Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI