Captivating, compelling, and completely compulsive.
The mythical city of Atlantis is no longer lost. For Natalie, this fabled city is now the refuge she calls home. With only five dollars and seventy-six cents to her name, she has almost nothing left from the life she once knew in Virginia, and Atlantis is the perfect sanctuary to work through her complicated past and an increasingly uncertain future. Her friends are here, the food is exquisite, the city is wonderfully diverse, the scenery is unparalleled in beauty, and her loyal furry friend, Enzi, is loved and welcomed by the accomplished Atlanteans. More than that, Atlantis is safe. Always apprised of matters on the surface, city leaders ensure the security of its residents, and for the first time in a long time, Natalie doesn’t have to spearhead a move against Nautilus. And yet, Nautilus still exists. They want something from Natalie, while she wants something they took from her. When Atlantean leadership refuses to acknowledge the significant threat Nautilus poses, Natalie has to make some difficult choices. Ravaged by self-doubt, crippled by grief, and paralyzed by the secrets she keeps, Natalie needs to mend what she’s broken, but how can she fix anything when she’s crumbling from the inside out?
Humans have long been enamored with this romanticized city under the sea, but Sarah Newland’s dreamy version of Atlantis as the hub of innovation is breathtaking! Atlantean invention is as magical as it sounds, with millennia of ingenious technology and purposeful evolution evident at every bend. Themes of progress, consequence, and the necessity of perspective support the broader idea of how to balance questioning everything while leaning into our most valued relationships for support and stability. Though her wins have been few and her losses great, Natalie is a wonderfully stubborn girl who clings to her friends with enviable tenacity. She may be reckless, rash, imprudent, daft, and daring, but she is also brave and loyal, a protagonist to admire. Sarah Newland’s creativity is eclipsed only by her artistry, as evidenced by the beautifully emotive and poetic prose that stimulates and dignifies audiences young and old. Featuring finely crafted characters that feel like family, mesmerizing settings you’ll wish you could visit, and unrelenting moves and countermoves, Regent is captivating, compelling, and completely compulsive, triumphantly harkening back to the golden age of YA science fiction.
