I Become Shadow

This action-packed SF thriller, Shine’s first novel, follows Ren Sharpe from her kidnapping by the clairvoyant F.A.T.E. agency at age 14. Though Ren’s story starts awkwardly, describing her first Pap smear and a gross betrayal by her crush, it gains in intensity and interest after the abduction, as Ren struggles with her brutal new surroundings. Put through a sadistic training program to become a Shadow, a fearless bodyguard for her FIP (Future Important Person), Ren toughens up quickly. “The girl you were can’t survive here.... You need to become someone else,” a fellow Shadow advises her, and Ren comes to believe in F.A.T.E.’s mission to protect humanity’s future leaders and innovators. At 18, Ren is chemically “linked” to science prodigy Gareth, and the usual love triangle formula receives a twist as Ren compares her artificially induced feelings for brainy Gareth with her spontaneous love for brawny, loyal Junie, whose friendship made her training bearable. Shine has a talent for high-stakes fight scenes, and excitement builds as Ren, Junie, and Gareth unravel the mysteries of F.A.T.E. Many questions go unanswered, leaving room for a sequel. Ages 14–up. (June)