Broken Crowns

December 15, 2015
The Internment Chronicles end with a return to the floating city in the sky. Morgan has found only continued oppression during her stay on the ground after her escape from her sky-borne city. There, she was under the thumb of the autocratic King Furlow, who strictly regulates the lives of the Internment population. But on the ground, King Ingram cares more for his war than for his people. By holding Princess Celeste of Internment hostage, he has brought the floating city to its knees. To keep his daughter safe, King Furlow allows the mining of phosane, the element rare on the ground but common on Internment that can power King Ingram's war machines. When Morgan's friend, the scientifically minded Pen, calculates that Internment may be slowly falling from the sky due to the mining operation, Morgan convinces the king to allow her to return. However, it seems that Pen and much of Morgan's family will be left on the ground. Once back in Internment, Morgan becomes further involved in the intrigues of the royal family, eventually realizing that a coup may be the only thing that can save her city. DeStefano brings her story to a close with unlikely physics, convoluted politics, but fairly intriguing characters. Princess Celeste, the embodiment of privilege, must find a way to survive when her circumstances change, for example. It's a satisfying conclusion for series fans. (Science fiction. 12-18)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-DeStefano's wonderful conclusion to her "Internment Chronicles" trilogy (S. & S.) combines dystopia with a love more complex than simple romance. After the previous volume in the series, King Ingram of Havalais and his soldiers have flown to Internment, the city in the sky, to force King Fulcrum and his people to deliver phosane, the mineral that Ingram believes can be refined to fuel his jets for his war on the neighboring kingdom of Dastor. Ingram holds Fulcrum's daughter, Celeste, hostage in Internment while her beloved, Nim, can only wait below and hope for news. The brilliant Pen has been distant, studying science texts and observing the floating city when she finally comes to her best friend, Morgan, to reveal that Internment is slowly descending. Not long after, Ingram returns and wants Morgan and her betrothed, Basil, to return with him to Internment to convince the people there that cooperation is for the best. Morgan takes Pen's information with her, as well as a packet of letters for Celeste, hoping that she and Basil can somehow keep their city in the air and save everyone they love from the two despots. The primary characters here are in a situation made desperate by tyrants, war, dysfunctional traditions, and simple physics, but their love for each other and their countries allows them to prevail. VERDICT While violence is ultimately part of the resolution here, it is the characters' steadfastness, cleverness, hope, and love that is celebrated. A triumphant, uplifting dystopia.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI

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