The Bloody and the Damned

Gr 9 Up–Covenant is a city on a world filled with saints, Archangels of metal, and a very disparate set of people: those planetside and those who live in airships above it. Those above the planet have enough water, enough food, and enough naphtha to power their lifestyles. In the city of Covenant? Not so much. Action, dialog, and two main friends (Dani and Orion) build a wonderful and detailed picture of Valene, older sibling to Halle and Kelda. Val will do anything to keep their sisters alive and as close to happy as they can while living in the dust of Covenant. Unbeknownst to Halle and Kelda, Val has become the infamous Butcher. Val uses the Butcher to survive, and “put[s] the Butcher back in their box” to keep the secret safe. The writing is wonderfully detailed, and readers will be quickly captivated. Fans of Cinda Williams Chima’s “The Heir Chronicles” and “Shattered Realms” series and Kristin Cashore’s “Graceling Realm” series will enjoy the phrasing and pacing; fans of Moira Young’s “Dustlands” series will appreciate the descriptive dystopian setting. Coffindaffer is extremely adept at keeping a fast-paced story without missing any of the amazing detail and nuance that lends a better understanding to the characters and setting. Val in nonbinary, with white skin and dark-brown hair; Dani and Orion both have brown skin.