From School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Driver and tech duo Cassica and Shiara are the best racing team in Coppermouth, a tiny town in a postapocalyptic world not unlike that of Mad Max. The best friends' successes building and driving cars on the smaller circuits pique the interest of an agent, who offers them a chance to compete in the big leagues. Now with a sponsor, Cassica and Shiara might have what it takes to qualify for the biggest race of the year. But with better drivers and deadly Wreckers set on eliminating them, the girls must put their skills and friendship to the test to win, and even the smallest mistake might cost them their lives. This title blends the speed of NASCAR with the fight-to-the-death competition of The Hunger Games. The friction between Shiara's practical, safer analysis and Cassica's bolder gut reactions adds to the tension of the dangerous situations. References to the world beyond will heighten reader interest, but don't expect to get much information from or about the rest of the cast. The secondary characters have little development; many appear in just a single chapter or two. In addition, the wait between races can feel like being stuck at a red light, and there are few plot twists as payoff. Cassica and Shiara have great bantering dialogue, though, and are constantly the focus in an intriguing, if little-developed, setting. VERDICT Dystopian fans will relish a new, unexplored world, but they'll have to persevere through slow sections to get to the action.—Thomas Jonte, Horry County Memorial Library, SC

Review

Praise for The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray :

*"An imaginative tour de force." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"Eerie and exhilarating. -- School Library Journal, starred review

*"Readers will get finger cramps from rapidly turning the pages of Wooding's gripping tale." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for Poison:

*"A compelling read. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Each scene of danger sings with tension. Lovers of adventure, horror, and suspense should keep an eye on this talented author." -- Horn Book Magazine

Praise for Storm Thief:

*"This stunning work of speculative fiction will appeal to Wooding's fans and earn him new ones." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Praise for Silver:

*"Wooding has morphed a traditional English boarding school story... into a horror/survival story that would make William Golding and Gary Paulsen envious... Carve out enough time to read Silver in a single sitting. You'll need it." -- Booklist, starred review

About the Author

Chris Wooding began writing at the age of 16, and his first novel Crashing was published when he was 19. Since that time, he's written dozens of novels in several genres, notably the award-winning The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray; Poison; Storm Thief; the Malice series; the graphic novel, Pandemonium; Silver; and Velocity.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The jump rushed toward them. Instinct made the choice for her. She twisted a dial, hit a switch. Everything to the turbos, all at once, one huge compressed burst of speed. Probably they'd blow the engine or backflip Maisie and land her on her roof, but either was better than falling short."Turbos, on my go," she said.Cassica's thumb shifted to hover over the red button on the wheel grip. The lip of the jump charged at them, close enough now so Shiara could guess at the angle. She delayed another split second to compensate, then:"Now."The word was barely formed before Cassica pressed down with her thumb. Maisie's turbos detonated with a sound like sudden thunder. The g-force shoved them back in their seats. Maisie hit the jump and the world tipped upward, and in that weightless moment Shiara had the cold clear thought that this sky might be the last she ever saw.