Skyriders

January 1, 2023
A reluctant hero and her winged horse fight to save the empire when monstrous chimerae return to Prekalt. Three hundred years ago, the chimerae were defeated; most people believe they aren't coming back, but 13-year-old junior sky courier Kiesandra Torsun's uncle is certain they will, and he has trained her and N'Rah, her skysteed, to fight with bow and arrow, triwire, and botan. When chimerae attack their town, Uncle Dugs insists that Kie bring his great-grandfather's manual about fighting chimerae to the emperor's commanders in Pedarth before the Skyforce sets off. Shy Kie, who has trouble expressing herself and feels more comfortable with animals than people, agrees to go, though she wonders, "Who is going to listen to a courier girl from nowhere?" She's certain she's not anyone special. However, Kie's ability to mindspeak with all the skysteeds, not just her own, indicates that she is the Nexara, or connector between species. Eventually, she shares this secret with friends she has come to trust, including Prince Shayn, Princess Halla, courier Topar, and groom Dessie. Ultimately, Kie's ability helps a younger generation of cadets, grooms, and couriers assist the Skyforce in winning their desperate, violent fights against the scourge of chimerae. Readers, especially fans of Tui T. Sutherland's Wings of Fire series, will enjoy this gripping fantasy whose satisfying conclusion leaves the path open for the sequel. In this racially diverse fantasy world, Kie has golden skin and brown hair. A thrilling series opener. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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February 27, 2023
Kiesandra Torsun—a 13-year-old who’s able to communicate telepathically with N’Rah, the winged horse skysteed with which she’s magically bonded—serves as a junior sky courier in the mountains of the Empire. While her uncle Dugs has trained her in the lost art of combatting three-headed monsters called chimerae, which terrorized the Empire centuries ago, Kie isn’t interested in becoming a fighter, especially not of monsters thought long gone. But when the chimerae unexpectedly return, Kie travels to the capital with her family’s manual on chimerae tactics to warn the emperor that the skyfighters’ modern techniques won’t work against the beasts. Though few will listen to a junior courier from a small village, Kie finds allies in young Prince Shayn and others in the royal family. Moreover, her unique ability to communicate with all skysteeds, not just her own, proves invaluable, and her stubborn but compassionate nature continues garnering support, which might just save the day when further danger rears its head. In this invigorating adventure, Holyoke (The Neptune Promise) offers a warmhearted tale that emphasizes communication and empathy without neglecting tension and danger, while plotlines surrounding the Empire’s class- and race-based inequity provide additional fodder for conversation. Ages 8–12.