Glow

July 11, 2011
In this futuristic thriller, first in the Sky Chasers series, humanity's fate will be determined by two warring colony ships, en route to a new home. Ryan (Zen and Xander Undone) immediately throws her heroes into action as the New Horizon attacks the Empyrean, with little warning or mercy. Soon, most of the Empyrean's adult crew are dead or missing and its girls and young women kidnapped, leaving an untrained, unready band of boys to repair and take command of the ship. Aboard the New Horizon, 15-year-old Waverly learns that she and the other girls were "rescued" to help the infertile women of the ship birth a new generation, and she immediately starts planning her escape. On the Empyrean, her 16-year-old boyfriend, Kieran, jockeys for control against the charismatic but treacherous Seth, dividing the makeshift crew. While Waverly's self-reliance, determination, and inner strength make her a heroine to remember, Kieran's struggle does little to paint him in a positive light. There's plenty of action and adventure, but the book's overall strength is marred by a blatant antireligion theme, which may put some readers off. Ages 12âup.

Starred review from January 2, 2012
For decades two ships of colonists have been searching space for a planet that will serve as New Earth. But when one of the spaceships attacks the other, killing all its adult crew members and kidnapping its girls, teens Waverly and Kieran must use their wits and inner strength to save themselves, their fellow colonists, and the day. Kadushin and Brown provide spellbinding narration. Kadushin captures all of Waverly’s despair, determination, and conflicted emotions, and provides unique voices for oily, manipulative Ann Mather and kindly colonist Amanda. Brown conveys Kieran’s journey from determination to hopelessness and eventually heroism, as well as ably voicing resentful Seth and a host of other characters. Ryan’s novel translates perfectly to audio with its combination of compelling characters and exciting edge-of-your-seat action scenes. Listeners will be unable to turn off this audiobook—whether they listen in the car, at home, or at work—because they need to find out what happens next. A St. Martin’s Griffin hardcover.

In outer space, two spaceships are dueling for their own fates as well as the fate of New Earth. Likewise, dual narration brings drama to the adventures of the EMPYREAN and the NEW HORIZON. Matt Brown has excellent pacing in the narration of Kieran's point of view as the EMPYREAN crew attempts to save the young girls who were kidnapped from their ship. Ilyana Kadushin narrates Waverley's point of view as she and the other kidnapped girls try to figure out who can be trusted. The NEW HORIZON adults have made them question everything they thought they knew. Kadushin is a great fit for the voice of Waverley, a strong, independent thinker who assumes the role of leader as the oldest girl aboard the EMPYREAN. C.C. (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine