One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | In a Nutshell: Deadly dilemmas amidst Star Wars-esque intergalactic enmity | First book in an ambitiously epic sci-fi duology from the author of the Divergent series.
Akos lives in the peaceful nation of Thuvhe, part of a galaxy in which some inhabitants are “fate-favored”, and everyone has a “currentgift”, a unique and (usually) beneficial power. Shortly after attending the Blooming Ritual at which his oracle mother addresses an admiring audience in the temple, Akos and his brother are captured by Shotet soldiers. Intensely loyal, Akos is determined to liberate his brother from this enemy world when he encounters smart, sassy Cyra, whose currentgift is being relentlessly exploited by her Shotet ruler brother for his own tyrannical ends. Then, as the nations’ enmity intensifies, the very survival of the two young protagonists hangs in the balance as they’re forced to decide whether they can put their differences aside and work as one.
This may be set in a distant fantasy galaxy but it’s abundant in down-to-earth humour (“I don't want to get stuck staring at people's butts like last year”) and distinctly human dilemmas that have universal resonance. Roth’s world-building is astoundingly grand, her characters compellingly complex, and how refreshing it is to see such a strong female heroine in a work of sci-fi. ~ Joanne Owen
On a planet where violence and vengeance rule, in a galaxy where some are favoured by fate, everyone develops a currentgift, a unique power meant to shape the future. While most benefit from their currentgifts, Akos and Cyra do not - their gifts make them vulnerable to others' control. Can they reclaim their gifts, their fates, and their lives, and reset the balance of power in this world?
Cyra is the sister of the brutal tyrant who rules the Shotet people. Cyra's currentgift gives her pain and power - something her brother exploits, using her to torture his enemies. But Cyra is much more than just a blade in her brother's hand: she is resilient, quick on her feet, and smarter than he knows. Akos is from the peace-loving nation of Thuvhe, and his loyalty to his family is limitless. Though protected by his unusual currentgift, once Akos and his brother are captured by enemy Shotet soldiers, Akos is desperate to get his brother out alive - no matter what the cost. When Akos is thrust into Cyra's world, the enmity between their countries and families seems insurmountable. They must decide to help each other to survive - or to destroy one another.
Veronica Roth is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent trilogy. Now a full-time writer, Ms. Roth and her husband live in Chicago.
Veronica was born on August 19th 1988 and was brought up in Barrington, Illinois. She wrote the first book in the Divergent trilogy, Divergent, while on while on winter break in her senior year at Northwestern University Her career took off rapidly with the success of her first novel, with the movie rights sold before she graduated college. The international blockbuster movie adaptation of Divergent by Summit Films, home of Twilight franchise, is due for release April 2014
The third and final installment in the series, Allegiant, was released on October 22nd and sold 455k copies worldwide on the day of its release.
