One thousand years ago Gia was betrayed and turned to stone, alongside her sister and all their soldiers. She awakes to find a very different city to the one she left behind, one built on lies. Can she wake her sister too so they can take back their city together or will she be satisfied by vengeance instead? It may depend on the boy who woke her, but Milo has no idea how he did it. And even if he did, can Gia convince him of the truth and turn him against the very people who took him in and kept him safe after his parents were killed by monsters?
The inclusion of an autistic character adds a huge amount of depth and believability to this book. Milo’s inner struggles are what make him a particularly compelling character. I love how both Milo and Gia lack faith in their own abilities, but never let it stop them from trying. In contrast Val and Lena display an unwavering confidence, but never let it stop them from listening to others and accepting when they are wrong. Despite these very different personalities these characters have real bonds which keep you rooting for them throughout the book.
As a villain, Ennio presents an ominous figure. He has stolen the lives of hundreds and neglects those below him, but has a steadfast conviction that he is doing the right thing. On the surface, his achievements do seem impressive but it is the methods behind them that make him a dangerous leader. Leanne Schwartz does a good job of exploring this moral argument, making it clear that defeating him will have bad consequences as well as good ones. There are those who follow him even to the end and those that turn against him as soon as the truth is revealed. Yet the majority of the people are simply confused and scared, not knowing who or what to trust. At the end of the book this division remains clear and firm, realistically depicting the tumultuous effects of war and change.
Escape to the Bookshelf 