To a Darker Shore

A teen who chafes against strict religious tradition seeks to avenge her best friend in this byzantine fantasy from Schwartz (A Prayer for Vengeance). Alesta—a fat, orphaned 17-year-old living in Soladisa—is used to her homeland’s ritual of banishing a youth considered sinful once every three months as a sacrifice to angry remote island monsters. As someone who is perceived as often falling short of expectations, she fears that she will be next. When her flying invention designed to impress leaders injures another teen, her best friend Kyrian takes the blame, assuming that he, as heir to Soladisa’s throne, will not be harshly punished. His gamble proves foolhardy, and he’s chosen as the next sacrifice. With help from others disturbed by the ritual, Alesta concocts a scheme to kill the monster, but after being banished to the monster’s territory, she discovers a still-living, transformed Kyr, who shares the horrifying truth of the island. While pacing struggles to gain momentum at the start and characters’ convenient visions offer instant insight, the winding plot and escalating reveals make for an enjoyably complex tale that will satisfy fantasy fans who prefer layered conspiracy narratives. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lee O’Brien, Irene Goodman Literary. (Apr.)