Vanguard

June 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-This fourth volume in the postapocalyptic dystopian series continues Tegan's story. She has completed her apprenticeship as a healer and is eager to take her valued skills on the road. Szorak, the vanguard of the subterranean Uroch people, has booked passage on the same ship as Tegan, hoping to locate a safe new homeland for his kin. Tegan and Szorak are fast friends, but humans have not forgotten the war with the Uroch, and when a human is killed, all eyes turn to the hairless, clawed Szorak, and he is tossed overboard. Without hesitation, Tegan dives in to save him, and the two end up in an abandoned colony, where the bond between them quickly escalates to romance. Although this installment can stand alone, followers of the series will have an easier entry into the speculative world and will welcome the reintroduction of familiar characters. Those new to the books will be delighted with the fantasy-style details and sophisticated writing. The novel does occasionally include mildly gratuitous language, but sex is described so discreetly that less mature readers may miss it altogether. VERDICT A required purchase wherever the previous entries circulate well; this addition alone may reawaken a surge of popularity in the series.-Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2017
Grades 8-11 This romance-heavy companion to the Razorland trilogy picks up years after the war between humans and Uroch ended. Most of the now-legendary heroes have settled into peaceful lives, but not all: Tegan's lingering shame keeps her from forging close relationships; Millie hates how her acts during the war now define her life; and Morrow's unrequited love for Tegan prevents him from making future plans. When Tegan signs on as a ship's doctor, Millie and Morrow follow in search of adventure and romance, respectively. Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, follows after Tegan promises to help find a place to build a permanent settlement for his people. The bulk of the wandering plot, loosely directed by Szarok's mission, is devoted to Tegan and Szarok falling in love, though they contend with storms, deserted islands, pirates, and more. Their romance develops with great care, made more fascinating than the typical star-crossed love story by the detail Aguirre puts into the Uroch's nonhuman behavior. Existing fans will appreciate this addition to the series, though it doesn't work as a stand-alone.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
The war between humans and the Uroch has ended, and Tegan, now a ship's doctor, develops a romantic relationship with Szarok, "vanguard" of the Uroch. With natural-feeling third-person-omniscient narration, this standalone companion to the dystopic Razorland trilogy is at its most thought-provoking in scenes where Tegan and Szarok explain their societies' ways to each other.

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