Arrowheart

Gr 9 Up–Rachel Patel is a Hedoness. With her power, she can cause a man to lose his free will and do whatever she tells him. But she doesn’t want to use her abilities; she wants to get through training so she can go on to become a social worker and help people, rather than bend them to her will. But when her closest friend and fellow Hedoness uses her power to take control of a boy in a public park, suddenly Rachel finds herself on the run from not only the police, but from the Hedoness’ ruling Committee. The sweet cover and lighthearted blurb may trick some readers into thinking they’re getting a fun, cheery read, but the fear Rachel has for her future, family, and friends is very real. There are some cute moments in this title, and it is far from being truly dark, but it is not as easygoing as it may seem. The characters feel genuine and have an appropriate amount of depth. The book features a diverse cast of main characters and various family makeups.