Dauntless

In Bonnin’s Filipino mythology–inspired fantasy debut, teenage Seri and “the People” struggle to expand their ever-shrinking borders while warriors keep fearsome forest beasts at bay. Seri has left her home to aid Commander Eshai Unbroken, 19, in carrying out their government’s border expansion plans. Though initially nervous, Seri finds comfort in her routine training with Eshai and in assisting the valor, warriors who protect the settlements and their citizens from beasts who roam the forests. When an attack’s aftermath unearths evidence that it may have been a coordinated strike—something previously unheard of from the beasts—Seri and a small group led by Eshai travel to Vethava, the First City of the People, to report the startling development to their ruling council. There, Seri meets 17-year-old Tsana, who can somehow communicate with the beasts. The closer the two get, and the more Seri uncovers about the attacks, the more she questions her people’s slaughter of the beasts and her settlement’s history. Though messaging surrounding colonization and an Indigenous group’s right to fight back lacks nuance, Bonnin uses lushly described scenery and fantastical creatures to craft an action-packed adventure. All main characters are noted as having brown skin. Ages 14–up. (Aug.)