Spellhacker

In a world where 14 strains of magic, called maz, are regulated by Maz Management Corporation, 18-year-old tech genius Dizmon “Diz” Hela and her best friends are pulling off their final maz siphoning heist before the latter leave Kyrkarta for Jattapore. A decade ago, an earthquake released the spellplague, or contaminated maz, into the world, killing thousands and infecting many others with a chronic illness that worsens with time. MMC stepped in to clean up and now charges for maz. Orphaned by the spellplague, Diz, caretaker Jaesin, and nonbinary spellweaver Remi formed a family, adopting wealthy techwitch Ania though her parents are still alive. The group began siphoning maz from MMC to make money, but they quickly find themselves in the middle of a larger conspiracy involving the spellplague and a new kind of maz called maz-15. England (The Disasters) creates a well-rounded, multicultural crew in a world that blends fantasy and science fiction. Though some plot twists are predictable, England successfully develops the intrigue surrounding maz-15, and the will-they/won’t-they nature of Remi and Diz’s relationship keeps the story engaging. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Agency. (Jan.) [/em]