Frost

Sixteen-year-old Frost has never left the building where she lives with Bunt, a robot who carries the consciousness of her dead father, and Romes, her pet broot (a fantastical creature). When Romes falls ill, Frost must leave her haven to save him. Bunt warns Frost about the danger, but Frost is determined, so they set off into the ruined world outside, which is filled with zombielike, cannibalistic Eaters. Eventually, they meet a man named Barron and his teenage son, Flynn, but a betrayal delivers Frost and Bunt into the hands of the cruel and murderous Good John Lord, who has built a society built on exploitation and slavery and is eager to get his hands on Bunt. Kozlowsky (The Dyerville Tales) has built a grim and brutal world that’s in shambles after a robot uprising, and John Lord is a thoroughly creepy villain. Fast-paced and frequently violent, this suspenseful SF tale with a resilient, goodhearted heroine raises thought-provoking questions about what it means to be human and the nature of love and loyalty. Ages 14–up. Agent: Victoria Marini, Irene Goodman Literary. (Oct.)