Ignited

Gr 8 Up—Palace intrigue, elemental powers, and dragons are brought together in this tale of one young woman's quest to free her father from mystical bondage. Jura is a member of the first in the hierarchy of 13 ruling families. She discovers that her father has been cursed and is now under an unknown person's control. Barely escaping his attempt to kill her, she holds her father captive as she turns to the world of Shadow Dancers, people who are able to move at will without being seen, to find whoever enslaved him. Each chapter is told from an individual character's point of view, helping illuminate this world. Tylak, whose true identity is hidden, agrees to connect Jura to the Shadow Dancers; Beshar, a lower level member of the ruling hierarchy trades in gossip and blackmail to maintain his position; Ash, a retired champion Fire Dancer—a manipulator of flames who entertains the wealthy by fighting dragons—is trying to hold on to his former glory; and Kay, a seven-year-old fire-bending prodigy, is kidnapped and sold to the Fire Dancers. This is the first in a planned series, so the plot has a bit more setup than resolution and ends with a surprising cliff-hanger. Although the tone sometimes feels mismatched with the narrative, with a focus on alluring body parts and being distracted by them, the plotting and fantastical elements will keep readers engaged.