Seafire

Set in a vaguely defined distant future, this tale of sisterhood on the high seas introduces an all-female crew of rebels who survive by raiding the ships of the ruthless warlord who controls the local waters. Ever since Capt. Caledonia Styx’s mother was killed and her brother was forced to serve in the Bullets, an army of drug-addicted soldiers, she has resolved to trust only the young women she’s personally rescued and recruited, including her best friend, Pisces. But when an attack goes wrong and Pisces is saved from death by a Bullet, Caledonia has to face her fears and decide how much she can trust her new prisoner, risking her crew in the process. In this trilogy opener, Parker (Behold the Bones) offers an exciting, action-packed tale featuring a variously diverse cast of resourceful young women surviving against overwhelming odds and a relentless foe. Between Caledonia’s internal struggle to overcome internalized guilt and fear, and the high stakes facing those she loves, this adventure never loses its pace. Ages 12–up. Agent: Lara Perkins, Andrea Brown Literary. (Aug.)