Sunshield

Starred review from March 16, 2020
The spectacular opening salvo of this new fantasy series from Martin (Woodwalker) plunges readers into a fully realized world of luxury built on the back of slave labor. The Sunshield Bandit—Lark to those who know her—leads a ragtag gang of outlaws, scraping a living out of the desert by sabotaging coaches on their way to the opulent state of Moquoia, freeing the slaves, killing the slavers, and laying claim to any valuables. She makes an unlikely ally for Veran, a young diplomat to Moquoia who is navigating the subtle power plays of court. But when someone abducts the liberal-minded prince of Moquoia’s lover as part of a plot to turn the prince into a political puppet, Veran turns to the notorious Lark for assistance in solving the kidnapping. Martin spins a graceful web of intrigue, coups, and budding revolution in this fast-paced, swashbuckling adventure, tying up just enough loose ends to bring this series opener to a satisfying close, while leaving enough mysteries unsolved to have readers chomping at the bit for the next installment. Clever, thrilling, and full of heart, this is epic fantasy done right. Agent: Valeria Noble, Donaghy Literary Group.

March 20, 2020

Gr 8 Up-Told in the alternating voices of Lark, Veran, and Tamsin, this book combines an era of stagecoaches and horseback riders with elements of ecology, court intrigue, and even two kidnappings. With a nod to the legend of Robin Hood, Lark is the Sunshield Bandit, who rides the barren Alcoro landscape, robbing slavers' wagons and trying to reunite bonded children with their families. Veran is the son of nobles from the Silverwood Mountains, a talented diplomat who nevertheless feels inadequate compared to his family, and hopes to make a name for himself conducting sensitive political negotiations in Moquoia. Tamsin, a truth teller, has spoken out against slavery, earning her the respect of Moquoia's new Prince Iano, but the ill will of others. When Tamsin disappears, the Sunshield Bandit is blamed. A map helps keep readers oriented as Lark rides the canyons, Veran investigates blackmail, and Tamsin scratches clues on the walls of her cell. Martin's use of invented language takes some concentration to comprehend, but the imagined Moquoian culture that highly values colors and the rainbow is just one of her creative touches. VERDICT Part futuristic Western, part mystery, part fantasy, this first in a duology has hooks for readers among several genres. Consider for larger collections.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2020
In Moquoia, slavery and indentured servitude are legal and accepted. To keep society and economy afloat, slave traders routinely steal children from Moquoia's neighbors to work in the factories and mines. Encouraged by the royal prince, Iano, a diplomatic delegation from neighbors to the east heads to Moquoia to try to stop the illegal human trafficking. Prince Veran from Silverwood Mountains is among the delegation and dedicated to his mission. While exploring the grounds of the castle, Veran overhears that someone close to Iano has been kidnapped and is being used to jeopardize their common goals. This person is held in the neighboring country's desert, which is the domain of the outlaw, the Sunshield Bandit aka Lark. Enter the Wild West-style outlaw, but with swords and a mission to disrupt the human trafficking and then care for those she saves. Readers will be eager for the sequel to this story that builds on the world Martin established in the Creatures of Light trilogy (Woodwalker, 2016; Ashes to Fire, 2017; Creatures of Light, 2018).(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)