Shattered Warrior by Sharon Shinn -NO

Shinn, Sharon and Illustrated by Ostertag, Molly Knox Shattered Warrior 246 pages. First Second, 2017. $17.99. Language: G ( 0 swears) ; Mature Content: R (Bed scene with a breast showing, threats and close calls of rape; Violence: R. (murder and see mature content) GRAPHIC NOVELColleen is a young woman who used to be wealthy and elite, is now just like everyone else. The equalizing factor was the invasion of the Derichets, a human like warrior species from outer space. Now Colleens whole family is gone, she works in a rock factory, and faces threats of violence every day. Things start to change when she meets a brave rebel, Jann and when she discovers her niece is still alive. Spurred to action she begins to fight back for the family she loves and the new family she creates, but holding onto something you love can be a tenuous thing.Filled with subdued yet harmonious graphic novel artwork.
On amazon this book is rated for middle school, which is so not cool. This book has very adult themes of the daily danger of rape, dealing with grief, murder, adopting a child, and building relationships over the rubble of past damage. While there isn't a sex scene, per se, its implied and a bare breast is shown. Now I  must add that Sharon Shinn is hands down my favorite author of adult fantasy and I was thrilled to see she has written a graphic novel, but I don't think this book is just right for a school library, even high school. Is violence is the only answer to oppression? In this book it is. If the book explored a variety of options, it might be more applicable to a high school library. The main character, the themes, and the content have a very adult feel. As a graphic novel for adults, I love this book.
HS –NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.