The Speaker

October 15, 2017
Grades 9-12 Sefia and Archer barely made it out of the Guard's grasp at the end of Chee's series opener, The Reader (2016). This volume opens with the two teens trying to determine what to do next. With Sefia guilt-ridden that her parents are the cause of Archer's pain, and Archer desperately trying to tell himself that he cannot be the boy from the prophecythe boy who will lead the world into the greatest war ever seenthey decide to use the book to seek out the Impressors and rescue as many boys as they can. However, the more Archer fights, the more he feels a blood lust that makes him certain he is the boy the Guard wants, resulting in Sefia bargaining with the devil to save Archer's future. Chee continues to build an in-depth world full of magic and strife, while still touching on other secondary characters, such as pirate Captain Reed, whose journeys are just as intriguing. Fans will be knocking down the door to read this exciting sequel.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
After Sefia and Archer (�cf2]The Reader�cf1]) rescue a group of enslaved boys, they vow to hunt down the remaining impressor gangs and free their captives, too. Excerpts from Sefia's prophetic book and several seemingly unconnected subplots are interspersed; the capable heroine, diverse cast of characters, and fully realized fantasy setting will keep readers engaged as elements slowly come together for a suspenseful, poignant climax.

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

Starred review from September 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-This installment picks up where The Reader ended, with Sefia and Archer on the run from The Guard. Unsure about how to proceed, Sefia searches the Book and uncovers several jaw-dropping discoveries: Tanin is still alive and Archer is still believed to be the one to lead the impending Red War. In an effort to quell Archer's nightmares and to stop the conflict, the pair uses the Book to find and kill impressors and free their captives. Meanwhile, Tanin will stop at nothing to retrieve the Book, to ensure important events take place that lead to the Red War, and to hold on to her power. This sequel is an intense story about destiny, sacrifice, and selflessness. Chee introduces dynamic characters with gut-wrenching backstories, whom readers will want to hate but won't be able to resist rooting for. Strategically written with elements from the previous volume, this entry is rich with twists and turns that will leave readers in constant shock while reminding them that there are no coincidences in this narrative. VERDICT A must-have for all collections and highly recommended for fans of Mary E. Pearson's "The Remnant Chronicles" or Megan Whalen Turner's "The Queen's Thief" series.-Dawn Abron, Zion-Benton Public Library, IL

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.