Bonesmith (House of the Dead Duology #1)

Teens grapple with familial expectations in this rollicking duology opener from Pau Preto (the Crown of Feathers trilogy). Wren Graven—a bonesmith able to psychically sense and move bone—yearns to become a ghost-battling Valkyr like her father. After failing her trial, however, the House of Bone’s leader—Wren’s imperious grandmother—exiles Wren to the Border Wall, a defensive stronghold against both the Breach, a revenant-infested wasteland, and the soldiers of the exiled House of Iron, whose mining created the Breach that birthed said monsters. When House of Gold prince Leo Valorian visits the Wall, Wren accompanies him on his inspection, hoping to impress. But soon after his arrival, House of Iron soldiers attack, capturing Leo and abandoning ironsmith Julian Knight, who falls into a chasm with Wren. The soldiers flee into the Breach, prompting the left-for-dead pair to cooperate and give chase—Wren to save Leo and her reputation and Julian to unravel the apparent conspiracy against him. Pau Preto’s kaleidoscopic close-third-person narrative complements the swiftly paced, bombshell-strewn plot, which crescendos to an explosive finish. Wren’s friendship with fun-loving Leo adds levity, while her romantic sparks with broody Julian inject tension. The cast is ethnically diverse. Ages 14–up. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (July)