Heartfire

January 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-This third "Winterkill" book finds Emmaline living in Matisa's village among the First People. Em and Matisa have a special dream-sharing bond that may help them survive the impending attacks from two violent factions that want to lay claim to their homelands. The Dominion is invading from the east, while Leon and his men think they have a right to take whatever they find. Both groups are heavily armed and will kill to get what they want. But Em and the First People are the only ones who know the remedy for a fatal sickness called the Bleed. They hope to use this cure as a bargaining chip to ensure their safety. To do this, Em and her friends must return to the settlement where she spent a fearful childhood and convince the colonists to help. The journey is fraught with danger-betrayal, ambushes, natural disasters, deadly warfare, captures, and escapes. The tense first-person narrative is lightened with hints of romance among some of the characters. Fans of the series will be happy to witness Em's maturity from an oppressed girl living in a dystopian society to a strong leader. The theme of acceptance among different types of people in order to attain peace is strong, clear, and never more relevant. VERDICT Although it helps to have read the previous series titles, this volume can stand on its own and will draw readers who like the intersection of fantasy, romance, and adventure.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT

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