Bloodwitch

March 3, 2014
While this trilogy opener lacks some of the poetry and complexity of Atwater-Rhodes’s Kiesha’ra series, it effectively explores the perils of hierarchy and the importance of independent thought. Set in the author’s empire of Midnight in the year 1803, this coming-of-age tale introduces 14-year-old shape-shifter Vance, who idolizes the vampires who raised him. However, an exposition-heavy encounter with witty outcast Malachi Obsidian shows him that not everyone supports their slave-based empire. Though Vance’s initial naïveté frustrates, vivid secondary characters maintain interest; fans of Midnight Predator will enjoy the reappearance of Jeshickah, the whip-wielding vampire ruler of Midnight, and Jaguar, Vance’s irreverent mentor. As Vance moves in Jeshickah’s circles for the first time, he cannot ignore the slaves’ blighted lives, memorably illustrated when Jaguar instructs him to cut one to test his blood-linked magic. Midnight’s shape-shifter opponents are equally unscrupulous, using Vance as a plague vector to infect vampires and slaves alike. “es, I’m manipulating you,” Malachi admits. “I’m fairly certain that’s almost all that anyone does to you.” Agendas collide in an intrigue-filled, unpredictable climax. Ages 12–up.

April 1, 2014
Atwater-Rhodes begins a new vampire series with a new world in this first installment of the Maeve'ra series. Vance has lived all his life in a wonderful, colorful greenhouse ruled by the beautiful Lady Brina. Now 14, Vance adores Brina and feels completely loyal to Midnight, the vampire empire ruled by Lady Jeshickah. Vance is not a vampire: He's a shape-shifter who transforms into a quetzal. He leaves the greenhouse when Malachi Obsidian, a rebellious shape-shifter who hates Midnight, takes Vance to its stronghold, and once there, Vance discovers how brutally the vampires treat their human slaves and others they command. When he learns that he has some sort of magic, he faces more decisions, especially since a mysterious disease has begun to ravage both human slaves and vampire masters. At last, other groups become involved in an effort to destroy Jeshickah and the seemingly all-powerful, oppressive empire of Midnight. Vance makes for a naive, rather hyperconscious narrator, continually speculating as to who may be telling the truth and what their motives may be. With this series, the author takes inspiration from the mythology of ancient Mexico, basing names and spellings on Mayan and Aztec words. It's clear that this installment is just a setup volume, and the plot to take Midnight down will span many characters and pages to come. Plenty of fun ahead for the author's many fans. (Paranormal suspense. 12-18)

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April 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-Vance Ehecatl is a young shape-shifter who can transform into an exquisite but rare Quetzal. Abandoned by his parents at birth, he has been raised by powerful vampires at their stronghold of Midnight. Sheltered and protected from the outside world and given all possible comforts, Vance never questions his surroundings or his vampire superiors. When his friend Calysta dies by violent means, Vance flees in the forest where he becomes lost and disoriented. He is discovered by a fellow shape-shifter named Malachi Obsidian, who tries to persuade Vance to leave Midnight. Malachi explains that Vance is a bloodwitch who possesses dangerous and unpredictable magic. He further turns Vance's world upside-down by claiming that Mistress Jeshickan and her vampires are manipulating him to control his power. In order to unlock his true potential, he must be properly trained by his own people. The main character struggles to uncover the truth, determine his destiny, and distinguish friend from foe. Atwater-Rhodes once again draws readers into the mysterious and extraordinary paranormal world of shape-shifters, vampires, witches, and Tristes. Although Bloodwitch is the first in this new trilogy, characters from her "Den of Shadow" and "Kiesha'ra" series (both Delacorte) are referenced and might possibly appear in later installments. A satisfying read.-Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2014
Grades 8-11 Witness the early days of Midnight, a vampire society, through the eyes of a young man who is about to discover how powerful he really is. In 1803, quetzal shape-shifter Vance Ehecatl lives under the watchful eye of vampires who took him in after he was left orphaned as a child. He trusts and respects his Lady Brina and Mistress Jeshickah and doesn't question his place in the worldthat is, until he meets Malachi Obsidian, another shape-shifter. Vance will challenge everything he believes and invite the possible destruction of his comfortable life when he learns of other great magical civilizations from Malachi. When he finds that his talents as a bloodwitch can be great and dangerous, Vance shows inner strength as an unexpected hero to the people he never knew. Atwater-Rhodes made a splash with her first novel, In the Forests of the Night (1999). Since then she has continued writing lush fantasies of fully realized, well-conceived worlds, and the first volume in the new Maeve'ra series is no exception.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)