Reviews
"This second act offering deeper characterization and resonant themes enriches an already compelling tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "This second installment in this trilogy continues the series' unique blend of Native American mythology, sci-fi, dystopia, and steampunk." -- School Library Journal "[I]n this dystopian near future, the characters in this diverse cast haven't lost their ties to their cultures of origin. Instead they are infused with them, and use them to the benefit of the group, from Lozen's Native American heritage, to a Scotsman's, to Arabic Hussain's. A promised third installment is highly anticipated." -- Booklist "This post-apocalyptic YA story is an unforgettable sensory experience, steeped in Native American folklore. The potential for plot development is endless, opening hypothetical dramatic scenarios that will entertain faithful fans of this talented storyteller. With a strong feminist slant on womanhood, his admirable perception of his own protagonist--a gender-neutral quality often lacking in fiction--will draw sophisticated readers." -- "Bruchac once again casts a spell of magic over readers with this engaging sequel to KILLER OF ENEMIES. There's so much to love about this novel! Gripping story that has readers re-enter the harsh post-apocalyptic world with a tough Native American heroine who's struggles to overcome her own pains, while guiding others to a place of refuge, make her a character all are sure to rally behind." -- YA Books Central, "This second act offering deeper characterization and resonant themes enriches an already compelling tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "This second installment in this trilogy continues the series' unique blend of Native American mythology, sci-fi, dystopia, and steampunk." -- School Library Journal "[I]n this dystopian near future, the characters in this diverse cast haven't lost their ties to their cultures of origin. Instead they are infused with them, and use them to the benefit of the group, from Lozen's Native American heritage, to a Scotsman's, to Arabic Hussain's. A promised third installment is highly anticipated." -- Booklist "This post-apocalyptic YA story is an unforgettable sensory experience, steeped in Native American folklore. The potential for plot development is endless, opening hypothetical dramatic scenarios that will entertain faithful fans of this talented storyteller. With a strong feminist slant on womanhood, his admirable perception of his own protagonist--a gender-neutral quality often lacking in fiction--will draw sophisticated readers." -- Foreword Reviews "Bruchac once again casts a spell of magic over readers with this engaging sequel to KILLER OF ENEMIES. There's so much to love about this novel! Gripping story that has readers re-enter the harsh post-apocalyptic world with a tough Native American heroine who's struggles to overcome her own pains, while guiding others to a place of refuge, make her a character all are sure to rally behind." -- YA Books Central, "This second act offering deeper characterization and resonant themes enriches an already compelling tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "This second installment in this trilogy continues the series' unique blend of Native American mythology, sci-fi, dystopia, and steampunk." -- School Library Journal "Battle scenes are still vibrant with ricocheting action, but between the action, a dreamlike, lore-filled backdrop emerges that informs the present day and increases both the emotional heft and the stakes of the action. Even more notable is that in this dystopian near future, the characters in this diverse cast haven't lost their ties to their cultures of origin. Instead they are infused with them, and use them to the benefit of the group, from Lozen's Native American heritage, to a Scotsman's, to Arabic Hussein's. A promised third installment is highly anticipated." -- Booklist "This post-apocalyptic YA story is an unforgettable sensory experience, steeped in Native American folklore. The potential for plot development is endless, opening hypothetical dramatic scenarios that will entertain faithful fans of this talented storyteller. With a strong feminist slant on womanhood, his admirable perception of his own protagonist--a gender-neutral quality often lacking in fiction--will draw sophisticated readers." -- Foreword Reviews "Bruchac once again casts a spell of magic over readers with this engaging sequel to KILLER OF ENEMIES. There's so much to love about this novel! Gripping story that has readers re-enter the harsh post-apocalyptic world with a tough Native American heroine who's struggles to overcome her own pains, while guiding others to a place of refuge, make her a character all are sure to rally behind." -- YA Books Central "Having escaped from the post-apocalyptic prisonlike Haven in Killer of Enemies, battle-hardened Lozen leads her band of refugees through the desert toward Valley Where First Light Paints the Cliffs, the place where Lozen's family lived before their capture. They face many dangers: not only is the desert filled with genetically modified monsters created in the time before the Silver Cloud wiped out all electronics on Earth, but the elite Ones who rule Haven are out to punish and kill their unwilling subjects, sending a Lakota near-immortal assassin named Luther Little Wound to hunt Lozen down. Nor is Lozen at peak fighting strength--her spirit is afflicted with something her Apache-Chiricahua ancestors called Enemy Sickness, or post-traumatic stress. Although the narrative objective in this sequel is slightly more diffuse than that of its razor-sharp predecessor, the sardonic protagonist is as magnetic, the peril is as intense, and the invention is as fresh as ever as Bruchac develops his dystopian world in new and intriguing directions. Native American legends, including those about irascible trickster Coyote, enrich the tale while familiarizing readers with contexts such as the circumstances under which traditional tales are told and their continued resilience in the face of cultural erasure. An author's note adds even more detail. Bruchac's exhilarating story leaves him with plenty of momentum heading into the projected final book of the trilogy." -- The Horn Book, "This second act offering deeper characterization and resonant themes enriches an already compelling tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "This second installment in this trilogy continues the series' unique blend of Native American mythology, sci-fi, dystopia, and steampunk." -- School Library Journal "[I]n this dystopian near future, the characters in this diverse cast haven't lost their ties to their cultures of origin. Instead they are infused with them, and use them to the benefit of the group, from Lozen's Native American heritage, to a Scotsman's, to Arabic Hussain's. A promised third installment is highly anticipated." -- Booklist "This post-apocalyptic YA story is an unforgettable sensory experience, steeped in Native American folklore. The potential for plot development is endless, opening hypothetical dramatic scenarios that will entertain faithful fans of this talented storyteller. With a strong feminist slant on womanhood, his admirable perception of his own protagonist--a gender-neutral quality often lacking in fiction--will draw sophisticated readers." -- ForeWord Reviews "Bruchac once again casts a spell of magic over readers with this engaging sequel to KILLER OF ENEMIES. There's so much to love about this novel! Gripping story that has readers re-enter the harsh post-apocalyptic world with a tough Native American heroine who's struggles to overcome her own pains, while guiding others to a place of refuge, make her a character all are sure to rally behind." -- YA Books Central, "This second act offering deeper characterization and resonant themes enriches an already compelling tale." -- Kirkus Reviews "Filled with tense moments of fending off creatures and battling inner demons, the dynamic story is filled with energy and emotion, but the writing feels rushed. Lozen's need for a healing ceremony will resonate with teens who have dealt with depression or trauma." -- School Library Journal "Between the action, a dreamlike, lore-filled backdrop emerges that informs the present day and increases both the emotional heft and the stakes of the action. Even more notable is that in this dystopian near future, the characters in this diverse cast haven't lost their ties to their cultures of origin. Instead they are infused with them, and use them to the benefit of the group." -- Booklist "This post-apocalyptic YA story is an unforgettable sensory experience, steeped in Native American folklore. The potential for plot development is endless, opening hypothetical dramatic scenarios that will entertain faithful fans of this talented storyteller. With a strong feminist slant on womanhood, his admirable perception of his own protagonist--a gender-neutral quality often lacking in fiction--will draw sophisticated readers." -- Foreword Reviews "The sardonic protagonist is as magnetic, the peril is as intense, and the invention is as fresh as ever as Bruchac develops his dystopian world in new and intriguing directions. Native American legends, including those about irascible trickster Coyote, enrich the tale while familiarizing readers with contexts such as the circumstances under which traditional tales are told and their continued resilience in the face of cultural erasure... Exhilarating." -- The Horn Book
