Intelligent young adult fiction that is seamless, satisfying, and oh-so-good!
Less than two months have passed since Natalie’s life was permanently flipped upside down. She and her friends are no closer to finding their missing families, while Leo, once a pillar of strength supporting this rattled group, hasn’t shown up and might not have survived the climactic events in Antarctica. Unanswered questions about their true origins nag at the teens while threats they can’t begin to comprehend loom large. Still, the unity and camaraderie they enjoy are a testament to deeply forged bonds of friendship built long before they realized their place in the Coelacanth Project. However, a wolf in sheep’s clothing lurks nearby. “Welcome to Nautilus! Welcome to Peace!” Juggling the reality of their situation with the heavy two-edged sword of hope, they hatch a dangerous plan to save their families and infiltrate the heart of powerful Nautilus, a familiar adversary bent on annihilation, subjugation, and domination. For Natalie and her friends, reckless might describe their methods, but it’s tough to argue with their motivations, especially when Nautilus responds with a powerful parry in the form of a precedent to war. With the help of some unlikely allies, these scientifically modified teens fight against the clock, against Nautilus, and against secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
If you’ve been pining for an author who writes with elegant precision and clarity of thought, Sarah Newland will quickly become your new favorite novelist! Recognizable locations serve as the backdrop for the momentous events of Chymist, as this irresistible story spans several breathtaking destinations along the East Coast and beyond. In this impressive sequel, the five extraordinary teens forming the main cast mature and evolve as they navigate the beautiful lies and ugly truths swirling around them. New characters are so interesting and enigmatic that it’s impossible to decide who to root for or against, or to predict where their choices will steer the story. Perspectives move back and forth between Leo and Natalie in a way that is natural and immersive, marked with superb setups for each chapter that make it difficult to put the book down. A tentative love triangle expands, then implodes as Natalie works her way through suffocating guilt, unbecoming jealousy, and crippling fear over her own inadequacies. As smaller fights obscure the larger enemy, conflict within is built methodically and with purpose, setting the stage for a dramatic and unpredictable conclusion. Abounding in tender moments and inspired conversations, Chymist is a near-perfect example of intelligent young adult fiction that is seamless, satisfying, and oh-so-good!
