Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Enter a futuristic world of violence, corruption, deception. The Karensa Federation, seeking total domination, is invading the last free nation of Mara and crushing any resistance it encounters. The Federation has created a cadre of grotesque zombie-like Ghosts, programmed to hunt down and destroy all enemies.

A select group of highly trained Mara fighters are dedicated to fighting back. Warrior pairs, consisting of a Striker and a Shield, battle in tandem. In addition to their extensive combat skills, Strikers have at their disposal an arsenal of weapons including daggers, guns, bows and arrows. Talin is a remarkably adroit Striker.  She grieves the loss of her Shield and best friend. When he is infected by a Ghost, she is required to kill her close companion to prevent him from becoming a Ghost. His death haunts her.

Soon after this tragedy, she is assigned a new Shield. His name is Red and he is a Skyhunter, half-human, half-machine creation of the Federation. With massive metallic wings hidden in his back, he possess impressive fighting capabilities. The final phases of  Red's Skyhunter transformation were never completed and he now is a captive of Mara.

Is he a Federation operative? Can she trust him?

Talin is mute. As a young girl her vocal cords were damaged by chemicals released during a Federation attack on her home. She remains physically and emotionally scarred by the trauma. Gradually, her suppressed memories begin to return. Secrets from her past come to light.

The book's exploration of women’s empowerment, class structure, and the corrosive effects of absolute political control are relevant today.

Lu has created a fantastic universe teeming with complex characters and high-stakes confrontations. She knows how to build tension and keep readers rapidly flipping pages to discover what will happen next.

Warning. This is the first book in an ongoing series. The conclusion of Skyhunter will leave readers on tenterhooks. Please Marie Lu don’t make us wait too long.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 29, 2020  Publisher: Roaring Brook Press  ISBN: 978-1250221681