  | Kindling Author: Chee, Traci | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
Elite, magic-wielding warriors called kindlings have just finished fighting a devastating war. Now their magic is outlawed. When a village comes under threat of siege, it offers an opportunity for seven kindlings to fight one last time. They will have to battle their pasts, their trauma, and their grim fates to come together again--or none of them will make it out alive.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG+ Reading Level: 5.30 Points: 16.0 Quiz: 552005 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (01/15/24)
School Library Journal (+) (03/01/24)
Booklist (+) (02/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/01/2024 *Starred Review* Combining her skills at coordinating large casts of believable and distinct characters with imaginary worlds that feel very lived-in and real, Chee offers a novel that examines the kaleidoscoping effects of trauma and violence on seven teenage warriors (none of whom is male) struggling to find purpose after “kindling” warfare—the use of their elite magical skills on the battlefield—has been outlawed. In Chee’s twist on the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai, these retired teenage soldiers’ wanderings converge in the small town of Windfall, which is under increasing threat from the ruthless raiders advancing across the countryside. The seven kindling can choose to use their power for good, but not without consequences, and they must each confront the trauma they have faced in order to make their decision. Graphic and explicit violence and abuse impact every character, and readers should know that parts of the narrative are very heavy—made even more so, perhaps, by the second-person point of view putting the reader in the shoes of each character. A thorough and gut-wrenching exploration of finding reasons to move forward after devastating loss and darkness and how community and connection can breed hope that will linger with readers long after the last page. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
