The Thief Who Sang Storms

Shaped like a broken heart, the floating Island of Moravia is home to two species—birdlike, magic-singing alkanosts, and humans, long ago shipwrecked on the island. The groups lived in harmony until a tidal wave three years back claimed a ship and the groups’ respective queens. Blamed by Captain Ilya, a human royal guard who holds singing magic responsible for the event, the alkanosts are persecuted: forbidden to use their abilities, banned from public spaces, and forced to live in a swamp. Among them is Linnet, 13, whose mother also went down with the ship; though her magic has yet to manifest, Linnet believes that her song will eventually oust Captain Ilya and reunite the islands’ inhabitants. When her father is arrested, Linnet gathers allies, including former human friend Hero, now a member of the royal guard, to free her unjustly imprisoned dad and others. Drawing upon a Russian folk poem for inspiration, per an author’s note, Anderson (The Castle of Tangled Magic) uses Linnet’s hopeful first-person narration to flesh out imaginatively wrought beings and landscapes throughout a quietly magical folk telling that examines themes of injustice, prejudice, and unity. Alkanosts’ feathers and skin change color during molts; Hero has light brown skin. Ages 8–12. Agent: Gemma Cooper, Bent Agency. (May)