Skyhunter

Skyhunter is a high-octane young adult dystopian novel set in a world ravaged by war. The Karensa Federation transforms conquered peoples into mutant war beasts called Ghosts, which they then use to attack the last free nations. The story follows Talin Kanami, a voiceless refugee and one of Mara's elite "Strikers," who are trained to combat these monsters. Talin and her fellow Strikers are fiercely loyal, fighting against overwhelming odds. The narrative explores themes of resilience, loyalty, prejudice, and the fight for freedom, as Talin grapples with her past and the potential of a mysterious prisoner who could be either a spy or a savior. Parents should be aware of prominent war themes, violence, and peril.

In this novel laced with adrenaline and filled with nonstop action, #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu creates an immersive world broken by war where the only hope against overwhelming evil lies with a team of young warriors willing to sacrifice everything to save what they love. The Karensa Federation has conquered a dozen countries, leaving Mara as one of the last free nations in the world. Refugees flee to its borders to escape a fate worse than death--transformation into mutant war beasts known as Ghosts, creatures the Federation then sends to attack Mara. The legendary Strikers, Mara's elite fighting force, are trained to stop these monsters. But as the number of Ghosts grows and Karensa closes in, defeat seems inevitable. Still, one Striker refuses to give up hope. Robbed of her voice and home, Talin Kanami knows firsthand the brutality of the Federation. Their cruelty forced her and her mother to seek asylum in a country that finds their people repugnant. She finds comfort only with a handful of fellow Strikers who have pledged their lives to one another, soldiers determined to push Karensa back at all costs. After another devastating battle, Mara seems ready to fall. But when a mysterious prisoner is brought from the front, Talin senses there's more to him than meets the eye. Is he a spy from the Federation? Or could he be the weapon that will save them all?