Forged in Fire and Stars

Champion Jumper (Magic Pony)

The Prince of Nowhere

Sanctuary

The Memory Thieves

Darkbeast

Wilfried

Curses! Foiled Again

The Gilded Ones

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.

Discover Your Child's Next Read

Forged in Fire and Stars

Andrea Cremer, Andrea Robertson, 2020

Champion Jumper (Magic Pony)

Elizabeth Lindsay, 2003

The Prince of Nowhere

Rochelle Hassan, 2022

Sanctuary

Abby Sher, Paola Mendoza, 2020

The Memory Thieves

Dhonielle Clayton, 2023

Darkbeast

Morgan Keyes, 2012

Wilfried

C. Waluszek, Christian Waluszek, 1995

Curses! Foiled Again

Jane Yolen, Mike Cavallaro, 2013