Renegades

Starred review from October 9, 2017
The night that Nova’s parents and infant sister were murdered, the Renegades—superheroes who protect her city—never came to save the day. Ten years later, the time has come for 16-year-old Nova to infiltrate the Renegades and exact her revenge: her power to induce sleep has been honed by the Anarchists, the so-called villains of her world. In a vividly dark and fully imagined universe where special abilities are feared unless they can be strictly controlled and labeled, Meyer (the Lunar Chronicles) celebrates and subverts popular superhero tropes while mining the gray area between malevolence and virtue. Third-person narration builds suspense as it shifts between Nova and Adrian, a Renegade with his own secrets; the worldbuilding details and many combat sequences will captivate devotees of superhero comics. Beyond the capes and masks is a strikingly grounded story of star-crossed would-be lovers, deception, and the recognition that most of humanity exists between the extremes of good and evil. A twist ending casts doubt on a key aspect of the story’s history and leaves the door open for future exploration. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management.

November 1, 2017

Gr 8 Up-From the author of "The Lunar Chronicles" comes a story of superheroes and supervillians. After the chaos of the Age of Anarchy, when some humans discovered their superhuman abilities and used them to wreak havoc on the world, a group of superheroes came to power. Calling themselves the Renegades, these heroes have established order in a disorderly world. However, some resist the rule of the Renegades, among them Nova, a teen with powers of her own who resents that the Renegades were unable to save her family. Bent on revenge, Nova plans to join the Renegades and destroy them from within. Meyer delivers a balance between intricate world-building and fast-paced action sequences. Nova's childhood tragedy will draw sympathy from readers as they watch her integrate into the group of Renegades in order to seek vengeance. Back-stabbing, plot twists, and hidden agendas will have readers turning pages in an attempt to discover the truth. Give to fans of Brandon Sanderson's "Reckoners" series. VERDICT A first purchase for most libraries.-Jenni Frencham, Columbus Public Library, WI

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2017
Grades 8-12 Nova Artino believed the good guy superheroes, known as the Renegades, would save her family from an unknown assassin; but at the end of the day, her parents and younger sister are dead, and she's no longer a fan. Her uncle, a villain in this futuristic society with a good number of supernaturally talented people, takes her in, and Nova discovers her own talent, becoming Nightmare. Her goal: to infiltrate the Renegades and bring them down. She just doesn't count on a surprising reluctance to kill people. This series opener establishes the central question of what makes someone good or bad, and whether the distinction is just a matter of perspective. The Renegades represent the rule of law, but their methods are sometimes suspect, while the anarchists see a society weakened by dependence on superheroes. It is a timely, thought-provoking, discussion-worthy premise wrapped in a narrative bogged down in too much description and explanationthough the author's skills are apparent. For another reflective hero and action story, try Michael Carroll's Quantum Prophecy series. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: As the best-selling author of the Lunar Chronicles, Meyer comes with a legion of superfans ready to battle for her new releases.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
Meyer's new superhero story questions what makes someone with special powers (i.e., "prodigies") good or evil. Nova (a.k.a. Anarchist prodigy Nightmare) infiltrates the ranks of Gatlon City's ruling prodigies, the Renegades, to seek revenge for her murdered family. Her narration alternates with that of love interest Adrian, son of the Renegades' leaders. Complex world-building, compelling characters, and plenty of action should draw in sci-fi fans.

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