Ignite by Sara B. Larson - ADVISABLE

Larson, Sara B.  Ignite (Defy, #2), 289 pgs.  Scholastic Press, 2015.  $17.99  Content: Language: PG; Violence: PG-13; Mature Content: PG-13.   

Alexa has thwarted the black magician and helped Prince Damien overtake his evil father’s throne.  But as hard as she tries, she can’t fight her feelings for Damien.  Alexa is one of Damien’s guards and knows that Damien needs to marry royalty to strengthen their war torn country, but when Vera, a beautiful woman comes to court, Alexa can’t decide if she doesn’t like Vera because she is jealous or if Vera poses a threat to Damien.  When Damien’s little brother is kidnapped and unexplainable magical powers overtake the palace guards, Alexa has to save the people she loves.   

I love this series-Alexa is strong and Damien is a good-hearted king, so it is easy to cheer for them.  The violence is PG-13 because the kidnapper threatens to cut the little boys eyelids off if he doesn’t open his eyes (which I found deeply disturbing). The action is constant and makes it hard to put the book down.  This book has all the things I enjoy—adventure, romance, mystery and good characters.   

MS, HS-ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.