Beware the Night

Starred review from March 1, 2019

Gr 7 Up-Veda has been raised by her grandfather, Poppy, for as long as she can remember. Her mother was murdered by the much-feared group "the Night," and her father, whom she has never met, is presumed dead. The Island of Bellona is split in two, with the rich Dogio living in safety, many working as Imperi soldiers under the heirless High Regent Raevald. Veda's side, the Basso, are barely surviving on what little fish they are able to catch during the allotted time. Veda and Poppy prepare for an attack during the Night of Reckoning. Dorian, the glassblower's apprentice and fellow Basso resident, befriends Veda and leads her to revelations about her own past and that of Bellona itself. Veda is forced to choose between the familiar and the unknown as the elements of her world reshape around her. The first in a series, this fantasy adventure is quickly paced with surprises at every turn and an ending that will leave teens breathless and awaiting more. Fleck has crafted a fully realized world complete with its own history and mythology to immerse her readers. VERDICT Finely tuned and masterfully written, this is a must-purchase for all fantasy shelves.-Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, FL

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