Books Received in March, 2021

 Many thanks to the publisher and agent who sent me review copies this month.

Averee written by Stephanie Phillips with Dave Johnson, Illustrated by Marika Cresta - The politics of the past few years made me less inclined to read dystopian literature, but this graphic novel (and less stressful politics) means I'm ready to engage the subgenre again. Out April 20th.

Averee is a typical high schooler living in the near future where social media status has real world consequences. The app, Ranked, determines everyone’s status, not just online, but in real life; who you can hang out with, what places you have access to, what schools you can get into, and what jobs you can get. And Pretty Kitty, the virtual pop star, is the spokesperson for it all, letting everyone know what products they should buy and hangout spots they should frequent in order to increase their rank.

Averee’s rank is just high enough for an enjoyable life. Unlike her best friend, Zoe, who has no rank, Averee is able to eat lunch where she chooses and to have a boyfriend of a high rank. That is, until one day when her rank mysteriously drops all the way down to Zoe’s level.

With nothing left to lose, Averee and Zoe hatch to kidnap Pretty Kitty and hold her ransom. They embark on a quest that takes them to the corporate underbelly of Ranked, and discover how the technology was originally developed with good intentions but was twisted in order to fuel corporate greed and control people’s lives.

They team up with the scientist who originally developed the app in order to expose the dangers of Ranked, and restore proper order and control over their own lives.

Among Thieves by M. J. Kuhn - The cover for this book is gorgeous and it sounds very interesting. Out in September.

In just over a year’s time, Ryia Cautella has already earned herself a reputation as the quickest, deadliest blade in the dockside city of Carrowwick—not to mention the sharpest tongue. But Ryia Cautella is not her real name.

For the past six years, a deadly secret has kept her in hiding, running from town to town, doing whatever it takes to stay one step ahead of the formidable Guildmaster—the sovereign ruler of the five kingdoms of Thamorr. No matter how far or fast she travels, his servants never fail to track her down...but even the most powerful men can be defeated.

Ryia’s path now leads directly into the heart of the Guildmaster’s stronghold, and against every instinct she has, it’s not a path she can walk alone. Forced to team up with a crew of assorted miscreants, smugglers, and thieves, Ryia must plan her next moves very carefully. If she succeeds, her freedom is won once and for all…but unfortunately for Ryia, her new allies are nearly as selfish as she is, and they all have plans of their own.