Tinderbox

Gr 9 Up–The planets of Indiri and Mano have been at war for ages, in spite of a history that suggests that they were once one planet and one people. Indiri is rich in natural resources. Mano is more barren. Each planet is ruled by a king and queen. Indiri’s rulers are focused on the future but worry that Mano will invade in an attempt to take their resources. Mano’s king is obsessed with a prophecy that if his daughter, the fair-skinned, blond-haired Princess Allegra, marries a common soldier his reign will come to an end. During an Indirian offensive on Mano’s soil, Everson, a copper-skinned, black-haired soldier, is rendered unconscious and left for dead on the battlefield. When he awakens, his only goal is survival. However, his Indirian military uniform and dark skin make it nearly impossible for him to blend in with the pale Manolithic people. Eventually, he is captured by one of Mano’s foreseers and sent on a quest to retrieve a sacred artifact that may result in his death. The foreseer sees this as a way to bring her people to power. But if Everson can survive, maybe he can save himself and bring peace to both worlds. Technology and magic meet in this sci-fi fantasy. There is an attempt at rich world-building that mostly achieves its goals. The action sequences are exciting, well-described, and delightfully gory. Everson starts out rather unlikeable but grows and matures through the story. In true fairy tale fashion, some of the plot is a bit convenient, but still an enjoyable read.