Spark

June 15, 2012
The sequel to Glow (2011) delivers a page-turning plot while delving deeper into questions of leadership, trauma and violence. The girls of the Empyrean have returned to their ship after being kidnapped by the New Horizon. Waverly Marshall has endured and committed terrible acts aboard the New Horizon. She is tormented by both her own memories and a faction of younger girls who cannot forgive her for failing to rescue their parents. Kieran, who became the ship's de facto leader when the adults were taken out of the picture, delivers sermons designed to promote both unity and loyalty among his followers but is deeply anxious about his own power. Meanwhile, Seth, the former leader and third leg of a love triangle with Waverly and Kieran, escapes the brig under mysterious circumstances and discovers a major threat to the ship. As Waverly, Kieran, Seth and the large but generally well-constructed cast of supporting characters work--often at cross-purposes--to keep the peace, secure the ship and rescue their parents from the New Horizon, meaty political and moral questions arise. Is torture ever justified? What about imprisonment and surveillance? How does one stay human after doing something monstrous? Readers hungry for the next installment will have plenty to ponder in the meantime. (Science fiction. 14 & up)

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November 1, 2012

Gr 9 Up-Actions have consequences, and even the best-intentioned choices can lead to disastrous results-so says this sequel to Glow (St. Martins, 2011). As the book begins, Waverly and Kieran are no longer a couple: she can't reconcile the disturbing similarities between Anne Mather's God complex and Kieran's belief that God is speaking to him. Waverly has changed as well. Some of the children can't forgive her for leaving their parents behind, and her experience on the New Horizon has left her angry and withdrawn. Meanwhile, Kieran believes that he is to lead the Empyrean in battle against the New Horizon to rescue the surviving adults. He has become the captain of the ship without a vote and is keeping Seth in the brig without any sort of due process. So when Seth discovers the door to his cell open and the guard knocked out, he doesn't know who has become brave enough to defy Kieran's rule. Soon it becomes clear that whoever released him has no qualms about injuring children and is trying to sabotage Kieran's efforts. What this book lacks in consistent character development it makes up for in plot and setting. This thrilling story will hold readers attention and the cliff-hanger ending will leave fans of the first book shaking in frustration-and excited for more.Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

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