Language: PG (2 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence: PG (physical abuse mentioned, some violent death)
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
15yo Bell has spent the last four years living as a captive in the temple of the sun god. She is treated poorly and is sometimes beaten. She has learned to survive by lying. She pretends to accept their religion while at the same time secretly holding on to her Treesinger ways. Every 25 years, a new queen is chosen to rule through the Queen's Test. Due to some political maneuvering, Bell, along with six other girls, finds herself in the test. Taking the opportunity handed to her, she plans to win to get revenge on the Risen for invading her people and use her new power to help her people. Bell participates in the Queen's Test reluctantly at first. However, through the process, she finds friends she can rely on and realizes she is a leader who can help her own people and also help unite the Risen community. There is also a slow-burning romance.
Aboriginal writer Ambelin Kwymullina builds a complex world, complete with religions, gods, mythologies, and history. The world she created helps bring the story to life and adds depth, but at times, I felt a little confused and had to go back to remind myself of certain details. The story is told through Bell's voice. It is fast-paced and an enjoyable read. I also liked the themes of our connection to nature, the importance of family bonds, and the strength found in knowing our ancestors.
Bell has brown skin.
Reviewer: A. Snow, Librarian
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