True Fire

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Her sister stolen. Her grandfather murdered. Her home burned to the ground. At just 16, Megan's life is destroyed. Now she wants revenge. But the men who took Megan's twin sister are no ordinary soldiers. The brutal witches, armor-clad and branded with the mark of the True, will stop at nothing to take back the power they once had. Desperate for a way to destroy them, Megan uncovers a terrifying lie. A lie that will cast doubt on everything she has ever known, and everyone she has ever trusted. A lie that will put Megan at the heart of the greatest war her world has ever seen.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 9 Up-At the start of this medieval tale, Megan is panicked about her unplanned pregnancy. Then her village is slaughtered, including her beloved grandfather. Her twin sister Gwyneth is taken by the True, a group of war-hungry witches. Megan embarks on a quest to rescue Gwyneth and ensure her own survival and that of her baby. Accompanied by a landless, middle-aged countess skilled in weaponry and fond of drink, and a smart-mouthed former priest acolyte, Megan searches for allies, side-stepping danger at every turn. Learning of a dire prophecy surrounding her unborn child and Gwyneth's fate, Megan faces unapologetic corruption, conspiracy, and a ridiculous amount of betrayal. Meehan's world is savage and secretive, populated by warring religious factions vying for power. His heroine is fiery and loyal. Her cohorts, far from noble, are ultimately well-meaning. Sadly, this action-adventure lacks the emotional resonance and lyrical prose of similar YA offerings like Melina Marchetta's "Lumatere Chronicles" (Candlewick). While the sharp, funny dialogue is the highlight of this title, the overall language can be jarringly modern giving the setting. An additional purchase where Meehan's quick pacing, perpetual danger, and twisty reveals might entertain readers looking to satisfy an ax-wielding adventure craving.-Danielle Serra, Cliffside Park Public Library, NJ (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.