Title: Renegades
Author: Marissa Meyer
Summary: In Renegades, Marissa Meyer envisions a world where prodigies, persons either born with or who attain later in life superhero type attributes, are relatively plentiful. From being able to transform into a swarm of butterflies to the ability to create bombs out of thin air, the talents of prodigies are varied and unique. Once they were persecuted and hated, but then a group of prodigies called Anarchists rose up and challenged the status quo, fighting against prodigy persecution and all forms of government and institutions of order and control. For a time with the Anarchists in control, chaos reigned and those without powers suffered and starved. Then the Renegades, five mighty prodigies intent on bringing back order and saving the world from itself, battled the Anarchists killing all but a handful. Now the Renegades are a huge organization and symbol of justice and hope. They also basically run the world and people without powers seem to be completely dependent on them.
Enter into the scene, Nova, aka Nightmare. She was only a child when the Anarchists and Renegades fought- a child born with the ability to put a person to sleep by simply a touch. She’s a gifted inventor, has some serious fighting skills, and is bent on the destroying the Renegades. Nova has a reason for hating the Renegades and plotting their demise. But, some of her venom is tempered when she gets to know a young Renegade name Adrian. Adrian truly believes in justice and doing the right thing. But will being Nova’s burgeoning friendship (and possibly a little more) with Adrian be enough to throw her off her mission to destroy the Renegade organization?
Who will like this?: Meyer’s writing is a hybrid of fantasy and sci-fi. If you enjoy strong female protagonist, she is the author for you. She carefully crafts her worlds and characters so readers must be willing to make a commitment to reading the whole story. Trust me it is worth it…I would read the back of a cereal box if Marissa Meyer wrote it.
If you like this, try reading: Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles series is a must. For a little more light-hearted and humorous superhero take try Perry Moore’s Hero. And, for a serious, epic tale of good against evil with strong female characters try An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Where can I find a copy?: Paper copy available at Fairfield Public Library and Fairfield Woods Branch Library and digital copy downloadable from Overdrive through Fairfield Public Library.
Recommended by: Jen, Fairfield Woods Teen Librarian