Select one of the keywords
Glow: Sky Chasers #1    by Amy Kathleen Ryan Amazon.com order for
Glow
by Amy Kathleen Ryan
Order:  USA  Can
Griffin, 2012 (2011)
Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book
* * *   Reviewed by Lyn Seippel

Two spacecraft, the New Horizon and the Empyrean, carry earth survivors who plan to make a new life on a planet they call New Earth. Each craft carries families and everything needed to sustain them for the long voyage.

Sixteen-year-old Waverly Marshall and Kieran Alden make their home on the Empyrean. Born in space, they will be the first generation who will have nothing to compare with the New Earth. Waverly expects to marry Kieran who is being groomed to be the future captain.

The New Horizon approaches the Empyrean with a request for their councils to meet and discuss problems the New Horizon is facing that the Empyrean has already solved. Their women are infertile. If no babies are born, they won't be able to make it to New Earth. So far, the Empyrean captain has not agreed to a meeting.

The New Horizon lingers within eyesight for the Empyrean to invite them aboard. At last, they do the unthinkable. They attack, kidnapping all the female children. Waverly stops resisting when she realizes that as the oldest female child, she must go and protect the younger ones.

The author jumps between Waverly and Kieran's voices to tell two exciting stories, one of which takes place on the Empyrean and the other on the New Horizon. Even the reader remains in the dark, as Waverly is given one explanation and then another for their abduction. The Horizon's captain and pastor, Anne Mather, is charismatic and believable, but no matter what reason is given, Waverly watched many of her friends and their parents die during the attack.

Meanwhile on the Empyrean, only the young boys are left to carry on. Kieran is forced to lead long before he is ready. His longtime rival, Seth Ardvale, challenges his every decision and soon so do the other boys. Through it all, Kieran can't stop thinking of rescuing Waverly.

This exciting futuristic thriller not only holds you spellbound, but with the exception of Waverly, you're never quite sure who can be trusted. This is a great beginning to the Star Chasers series.

Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons.

Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews