Crown of Thunder

August 1, 2018
After having escaped Kos and the clutches of Karima, Taj is on the run.With the help of other aki (sin-eaters) and some Mages, including Aliya, Taj finds himself having to come to terms with the fallout of leaving his city. Karima will do anything, including destroying innocent lives, to find Taj. With each step away from Kos, he learns just how far she is willing to go--including turning his former best friend, Bo, against him. Grappling with feelings of remorse, survivor's guilt, and conflict over how to use his powers, Taj finds himself at a pivotal crossroads--choose self or choose to fight for one's people. With the help of Arzu, Taj and Aliya make it to a village that has other aki, the tastahlik. Unlike Taj and his ilk in Kos, they are revered for their powers and have honed them to use for selfless and selfish reasons alike. Taj discovers that he can learn how to control and develop his talents, but he must decide what purpose he wants them to serve. Aliya also comes to terms with her own powers, though her path to knowledge and mastery takes a severe toll. Following the lauded Beasts Made of Night (2017), Onyebuchi's tale carries us on a journey of forgiveness, growth, and sacrifice. The action is fast-paced and captivating, but transitions at times feel a bit rushed as a result.A satisfying sequel. (Fantasy. 14-adult)

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October 1, 2018
Grades 7-10 Taj, Aliya, and Arzu have fled their ruined city of Kos in the wake of now Queen Karima's betrayal and violence, eventually ending up in Arzu's home village, where aki (sin-eaters) are revered as public servants. Being honored instead of reviled makes Taj reluctant to turn back to his lost home, until the body count rises so high he realizes he has no choice. While he grapples with his violent feelings, Aliya is trying to survive the gifts of the Unnamed (God) and learning to write the world in algebraic proofs. Together their talents may be enough to overthrow the woman who seems to have harnessed everything evil in nature. Readers will want to start with Beasts Made of Night (2017) to better follow the story line, and the naming conventions are a mouthful at times. Taj continues his first-person narration of this rich stew of street smarts, myth, and almost nonstop action. The tie to mathematics is appealing for STEM programs, although the proofs are figuratively, rather than literally, presented.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)