Shadowlark

October 1, 2013

Gr 8 Up-In this sequel to Skylark (Carolrhoda Lab, 2012), Lark Ainsley continues her journey through a hazardous dystopian world accompanied by the magically gifted Tansy and mechanical pixie Nix as she attempts to find her brother, Basil. They are rejoined by her love interest, Oren, when they barely escape a trap set by cannibalistic shadow-people, and together they make their way to the underground city of Lethe, which is powered by magic and run by the mysterious and powerful Prometheus. His brutal police, known as Eagles, terrorize the city and seize Renewables (those who can renew their magic) on sight. Lark and Oren are spirited away by resistance fighters who oppose Prometheus and who have found Basil's journal, but when Lark leads a mission to rescue Basil and overthrow Prometheus, she discovers a surprising truth about her brother. Readers who are not familiar with the first book in the trilogy will be seriously confused, as the action begins in medias res and there is very little summary of previous events. The action picks up when Lark and her companions reach the city of Lethe. However, Lark's discovery about Basil, which is apparently intended to be a startling plot twist, won't come as a surprise to alert readers. Shadowlark has a number of the same weaknesses as its predecessor. The origins of this dystopian world are still not explained, and characters are not fully developed. Purchase only if the first book is popular.-Kathleen E. Gruver, Burlington County Library, Westampton, NJ

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2013
It's par for the course in Book 2 of the Skylark trilogy. Picking up right where the first left off, Lark Ainsley is on the run, desperately searching for her brother Basil. Much of the opening gets bogged down in back story, and it will take readers a while to reacquaint themselves with the rules and language of this fantasy dystopia. The story begins to pick up speed when Lark follows Basil's trail to the city of Lethe. There, she meets an interesting new cast of characters living in a magical underground city that is both a refuge for Renewables and the heart of a resistance movement to overthrow Prometheus, the leader of the surface world. References to Greek mythology further complicate an already Byzantine dystopian world, challenging readers to find a connection between Lethe and the broader plotline involving the architects from the first novel. What's really interesting here is Lark's struggle to come to grips with the enormity of her power. Is she a monster? A weapon? A savior? In the midst of this identity crisis, Lark also wrestles with her feelings for Oren, the half-human, half-shadow monster that has found his way into her heart. This is a book for fans only. New readers need not apply. (Dystopian adventure. 14 & up)

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Starred review from September 1, 2013
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Having fled from the horrific dangers of home straight into the potentially horrific dangers of an outside landscape, Lark Ainsley (Skylark, 2012) is back and still searching for her brother, Basil, while trying to make sense of what her life will be in a world ravaged by old wars, terrifying technology, and magic gone wild. Joined by friend Tansy and mechanical pixie Nix, Lark's journey is the classic hero's quest. Her love interest, Oren, is an intriguing blend of light and dark as he struggles with his literal shadow side, the violent darkness that overtakes him every night as one of the Shadow people slowly driven insane by the rigors of living amid uncontrolled magic outside the protected cities. Set largely in a mysterious, vaguely menacing underground city called Lethe, the plot unfurls quickly and steadily with good pacing. Lethe is ruled by a harsh founder called Prometheus, who soon challenges Lark in ways she didn't expect but must meet to find Basil. With its blend of dystopian, steampunk, and generally fantastical elements, Spooner's follow-up is even stronger and more gripping than the debut and is sure to ensnare further loyal readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)