Every Stolen Breath

Lia Finch, 16, has evidence that the Death Mob’s Swarm will strike again after a two-year absence. In Chicago, dozens of disguised teens have beaten and kicked their victims to death. Lia’s father, a prosecuting attorney who was investigating the Swarm, became one of their victims. After deciphering a tweet indicating that a new attack will take place, Lia goes to the waterfront site alone to try to document the mob’s activities. While there, she’s saved from the violence by a gray-eyed teen, who tosses her into Lake Michigan. Her rescuer, Ryan, later introduces himself as a Swarm member who also worked with her father. As Lia, along with her friends Adam and Katie, works to identify members of the Swarm to help stop the Death Mobs, Ryan stays in the shadows, trying to protect Lia. Despite suffering from both asthma and panic attacks, Lia often acts recklessly, adding to the story’s excitement but detracting from her depiction as a savvy teen. Inspired by real-life flash mob attacks in Chicago, Gabriel’s debut demonstrates how technology can be used to incite violence, and fans of Barry Lyga and Morgan Baden’s The Hive will find a similarly themed, and similarly frightening, story here. Ages 13–up. [em](Nov.) [/em]