Grace

Grace is an Angel, a suicide bomber, chosen for this fate at an early age by her father. Grace was born into a war-torn society, where children are raised on hate and ideology and are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. On one side are "the People," who live in the Hills and pray to the Saints; on the other is "Keran Berj," both a place and a dictator, who believes he's been given absolute power by God. Through this dystopian world, Scott (Living Dead Girl) explores the hopelessness, fear, and anger of children forced to live in a time of conflict, who are caught between two sides fighting equally extremist causes, and, as a result, feel similarly righteous about their mission to eliminate each other. Though beautifully written and undeniably jarring, Grace's story as a failed Angel is confusing at times. Scott keeps readers in the dark about Grace's background and the events leading up to her current situation, but rather than building tension, this uncertainty lessens it. Nonetheless, it's an emotional meditation on a timely topic. Ages 14–up. (Sept.)