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Crystal Blade

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Fans of Three Dark Crowns and Red Queen will devour book two in the #1 New York Times bestselling Burning Glass trilogy, about a teen empath and the secret dangers of her expanding power.

Sonya and Anton may have brought about a revolution, but can they protect their homeland—and their love—with so many forces threatening to tear them apart?

The empire has fallen, Valko faces trial, and Sonya is finally free from her fate as Sovereign Auraseer. But Sonya's expanding abilities are just as unstable as the new government of Riaznin. Not only can she feel the emotions of others but, unlike most Auraseers, she's learned to make others feel what she's feeling as well. And with her relationship falling apart, Sonya isn't immune to her power's sinister temptations.

Now, as Sonya fights to contain her own darkness, she senses a new evil lurking in the shadows of the palace. Someone from Sonya's past has returned seeking revenge—and she won't be satisfied until Sonya has suffered for her mistakes.

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    • Kirkus

      June 15, 2017
      Riaznin is finally free from imperial rule. Valko, the dethroned emperor, is in prison awaiting trial. Sonya is no longer sovereign Auraseer--no longer the empire's property. Anton, Valko's brother and leader of the uprising, is now one of the governors on the nascent Duma, the council set up to oversee Riaznin's new democracy. Peace is still far away, however, as the peasants and the former nobility continue to resent one another while the forces of a neighboring country are charging their way through the countryside toward the vulnerable new government. Sonya not only possesses the Auraseer's ability to sense the emotions of others, she also has the unheard-of ability to manipulate others' emotions. Only Anton and her old Romska friend, Tosya, know she used this ability to influence Valko to abdicate just as his regime was on the verge of winning the One Day War. Unfortunately, enemies past and present also know her secret and threaten to use it against her. The whiny girl Sonya was has been replaced by a strong but flawed woman who owns her convictions. Sonya's first-person narration is filled with descriptions of the emotions of those around her. The effect can be disorienting, but perhaps that's the point. A few minor characters have darker than white skin, and other than the Romani-cognate Romska, the people of Russia-analog Riaznin appear to be white. With this second installment, the Burning Glass trilogy hits its stride. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)

      COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      July 1, 2017

      Gr 9 Up-This follow-up to Burning Glass begins a few weeks after the first book ends, with Sonya and Anton working to build a new government for Riaznin and celebrating their newfound love. Only beginning to develop the strength of her powers, Sonya is fighting to avoid succumbing to the darkness and to push toward the best path for Riaznin. Anton has been elected governor and is working hard for stability, but he is also concerned with hiding the depth of Sonya's powers from others. When Sonya betrays him, what will happen to her, Riaznin, and all she holds dear? The novel is well paced, Rianzin is intriguing, and characters continue to develop, leaving something for readers to discover. Teens will find the same mystery and intrigue as in the last outing, with even more passion and betrayal in this volume. This entry ends in a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger, which will keep fans anticipating the final chapter of the trilogy. VERDICT Avoiding the dreaded sophomore slump, this is an ideal purchase for libraries where the previous installment is popular.-Stephanie Charlefour, formerly at Wixom Public Library, MI

      Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • The Horn Book

      July 1, 2018
      Sonya (Burning Glass) and Anton must combat politics and rebellion as they establish a new democracy. But the biggest threat might be Sonya's empath powers, as the temptation to solve their problems by magical manipulation grows. Sonya can be a frustratingly inconsistent character in this middle book, but the fast-paced action and intrigue will hook readers for the trilogy's final volume.

      (Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Formats

  • Kindle Book
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  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • ATOS Level:5.3
  • Lexile® Measure:700
  • Interest Level:9-12(UG)
  • Text Difficulty:3-4

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