Diamond City

Flores’s fantasy debut follows Aina Solís, whose parents were executed for practicing diamond-channeled blood magic in the wake of Sumerand’s industrial revolution. Aina spent years on the city of Kosín’s streets before joining “Blood King” Kohl Pavel’s tradehouse, which deals in all manner of criminal activity, and learning to fight. Now 18, she is a skilled assassin who dreams of becoming her own boss. When Kohl offers Aina a high-profile hit that will bankroll the start of her own tradehouse, she eagerly accepts; killing the wealthy diamond exporter proves more difficult than anticipated, though, even with the help of freelancer Teo Matgan. Kosín’s ruling body places a bounty on Aina’s head, forcing her to run—not just from the Diamond Guard and those eager to collect the reward, but also from Kohl, who must protect his tradehouse’s reputation. Flores’s cast comprises characters of multiple ethnicities, many of whom lack complexity and verisimilitude. And though superficial worldbuilding sometimes muddies the book’s message, a clever setup allows for keen insights regarding poverty, religious persecution, and cycles of violence. Ages 12–up. [em]Agent: Pete Knapp, Park Literary & Media. (Jan.) [/em]