Storm Siren

May 26, 2014
Nym has been a slave for 14 different masters when a noblewoman named Adora buys her, although as an untrained storm siren in a kingdom that kills Elementals at birth, Nym is lucky to be alive. In her new home, Nym finds that Adora is one of the king’s advisors trying to stop Faelen from being invaded, and she plans to use Nym’s powers as a line of last defense against the armies of the body-snatching Draewulf. Meanwhile, Nym can’t stop thinking about Eogan, her trainer, whose touch brings a calm the likes of which she’s never experienced before. Nym’s struggles don’t exactly tread new ground, so fantasy readers will feel at home in Weber’s first novel. The romantic subplot falls a little flat, but a detailed backdrop and large cast bring vividness to the story. Nym’s friend and fellow magic-user Colin, for example, keeps the mood light with his good humor without being reduced to comic relief alone. The story takes a surprisingly dark turn as the narrative pieces fall into place for the next book in this planned trilogy. Ages 12–up. Agent: Andrea Heineke, Alive Communications.

July 1, 2014
A slave girl struggles to control her supernatural storm-bringing power in this series opener.Seventeen-year-old Nym causes lightning strikes that kill those who make her angry, but they also inadvertently kill innocents. Adora, a powerful noblewoman in the kingdom of Faelen, witnesses Nym's power and buys her for use as a weapon in the ongoing war against Bron, which Faelen stands in imminent danger of losing. Even as Nym submits to her enslaved status, she remains defiant, especially when Adora orders her to work with a handsome trainer, Eogan, to learn to control herself. She and Colin, a boy who can cause earthquakes, work together. Nym also forms an attachment with Colin's blind sister, Breck, working as a servant in Adora's household. All of these characters come together in the final (for this installment) battle to save Faelen and one another. Weber builds a fascinating and believable fantasy world, inventing epithets ("Teeth of a pig, what the litches was that?") and combining medieval and modern elements (a feudal system and antibiotics, for instance). Her characters' paranormal powers work well, and she weaves in just enough mystery about each character that they all remain interesting. The story ends with a gutsy surprise that many readers will find unusual in this genre and that leaves them poised for the next volume.Inventive and entertaining. (Fantasy. 12-18)

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July 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-In the kingdom of Faelen, "Elementals" have always been male and killed at birth. With powers reminiscent of X-Men's Storm, 17-year-old Nym considers herself a monstrous fluke, tormented by guilt over her deadly abilities. After letting loose her powers in public, she becomes slave to petty Adora, who offers two unappealing options: execution or training as a weapon to save their kingdom. Life consists of being trussed up by maid and new friend, Breck, for parties populated with lusty, conniving members of the elite High Court and slightly less dangerous outdoor training by secretive and attractive Eogan, along with Breck's cheeky brother Colin, who literally moves earth. The heroes and plot come in to action in the last third of the book. A bittersweet ending teases happiness, but the rug is pulled from under Nym and readers alike in the final pages. The language is occasionally jarring, using a tone typical of medieval tales, with occasional quips or thoughts coming across as too modern. Nym is distinct while the other characters are archetypes. Still, this adventure, in the vein of 1980s fantasy films, has readers rooting for the heroes to smite the wicked baddies. Buy where fantasy flies.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2014
Grades 9-12 Nym has been a slave since she was 6, when she unwittingly released her Elemental powers and destroyed her entire village, including her parents. Now 17 and consumed with guilt, she is bought by her fifteenth owner with the intention that Nym learn to control her powers so that she can help end the war consuming her homeland. Her trainer, Eogan, helps her gain command of and an appreciation for her powers, even as Nym struggles with the idea of intentional killing and with the attraction she feels for Eogan. Weber's debut novel offers solid character development and unique world building, while twists in the plot and revelations about characters abound, keeping readers on their toes. Serious questions about guilt, personal identity, and the legitimacy of war are tucked neatly into the compelling story line. With a breathtaking climax, this will leave readers clamoring for the next title in this darkly complex trilogy. Perfect for fans of Lisa Bergren's River of Time series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)