The Darkest Blood (Shadowscent #1) by P. M. Freestone, 368 pages. Scholastic Press, November 2019. $19.
Language: PG-13 (29 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (some blood)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
In a desperate gamble to help her Father survive the Rot, Rakel makes a bid to become an apprentice to a chief perfumer. Upon her loss, her indenture contract is purchased by the Scent Keeper of Aphoria, the perfumer of the kingdom who acts as a conduit to the gods. When the Scent Keeper is killed and heir to the Empire is poisoned, Rakel is the prime suspect. Now she is on the run with Ash, the heir’s Shield, in a desperate gamble to solve an ancient riddle, save the Prince, and clear Rakel’s name. Their flight will take them to every corner of the empire – through dangers great and small, even of the heart.
Another YA Lit unicorn – a stand alone fantasy novel! A complete, whole tale told within the pages of one book, without a mysterious or not-so-mysterious epilogue hinting at more things to come. Stand alones are always great to have and Freestone has crafted a world with two strong lead characters who have an adventure full of danger which is not focused on either exploring their romance in depth, nor on killing as many people as possible in increasingly violent ways. Sorry – YA fantasy pet peeves on display there. For a breath of fresh air, buy this for your students.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
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