Firefight
(Libby/OverDrive eComic, Kindle)

To the public, Epics, and Reckoners alike, David Charleston is now Steelslayer, assassin of Steelheart, the High Epic who ruled Newcago. Having rid that city of its virulent overlord, the Reckoners have infiltrated Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, where their new target, High Epic Regalia, rules a flooded city inhabited by devil-may-care Babilarans. David, however, is becoming uneasy with the Reckoners' goal of slaying Epics. If indeed the Epics' fears are the keys to their weaknesses, as he speculates, perhaps they are not destined to destroy; perhaps they can learn to control themselves and their evil compulsions. His first target for salvation? His secret love, Megan, aka Firefight. But Prof is sure Megan is playing David in order to infiltrate the Reckoners' base and so plans to destroy her in spite of David's protests. This lacks the constant tension and edgy technology of Steelheart (2013), but this second in Sanderson's Reckoners series concludes in true, violent, high-action Steelslayer style, promising not only more of the same in the still-to-come Calamity, but hinting of future romance as well. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Sanderson will receive the expected five-star treatment: a pre-pub school tour, major social media campaigns, a scavenger hunt tour, and much more.--Bradburn, Frances Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 8 Up-In Steelheart (Delacorte, 2013), David and the Reckoners liberated Newcago (once Chicago) from the tyranny of the murderous High Epic. Since Steelheart's death, other Epics have entered the city, seemingly sent to draw out the Reckoners and, in particular, their founder and leader Prof. He suspects it is a message from the Epic Regalia who rules Babylon Restored (formerly Manhattan), and heads for the city, taking David with him. David hopes to find Megan, aka Firefight, there, despite Prof's vehement warnings that she is a murderer who can't be trusted. With a new team of Reckoners, they seek to discover why Regalia has brought Obliteration, the destroyer of Houston and other cities, to Babylon. Meanwhile, David secretly searches for proof that Epics can overcome the corrupting nature of their powers in his quest to save Megan from becoming another of the Reckoners' targets. MacLeod Andrews delivers another excellent performance of this intense, action-packed, and engaging series. He excels at David's first-person narration and skillfully differentiates among characters, both familiar and new, and fully engages listeners in action scenes as well as introspective moments. VERDICT As the narrative builds to another "epic" conclusion when Regalia's ultimate plan is finally revealed, listeners will be begging for the finale.-Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

In a devastated near-future America, David and his fellow resistance fighters stand against another Epic (once-human supervillain): Regalia, who rules a submerged NYC. Further exploring the Epics' origins, limits, and potential for redemption, this sequel to Steelheart complicates the dichotomy of good humans versus evil Epics and shifts David's motivation from revenge to reconciliation, deepening his character amid multiple inventive action sequences. (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Teen slayer of evil, superpowered Epics David Charleston carries the fight from Newcago to New York in this slash-and-burn sequel.Arriving with his boss, Jon Phaedrus, Dark Knight-ish founder of the Epic-killing Reckoners, David is stunned to find the citynow known as Babylon Restored, or Babilarflooded, weirdly lit by glowing graffiti and populated by lotus eaters who subsist on glowing fruit that grows indoors. He faces three powerful Epics: Newton, who can deflect bullets; Obliteration, mad destroyer of Houston; and, most dangerous of all, hydromancer and wily former attorney Regalia. As in the previous episode (Steelheart, 2013), Sanderson presents a Marvel Comics-style mix of violently destructive battles, fabulous feats and ongoing inner wrestling over morality and identity. He lightens this with such elements as an Epic who is felled by Kool-Aid balloons and David's predilection for hilariously lame similes (a room is "lit by fruit that dangled from the ceiling like snot from the nose of a toddler who had been snorting glowsticks"). Risky romance plus late revelations about the source and flaw in all the Epics' powers set up the (probable) closer. Big in size and vision, this is the rare middle volume that keeps the throttle open and actually moves the story along significantly. (Fantasy. 11-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

To the public, Epics, and Reckoners alike, David Charleston is now Steelslayer, assassin of Steelheart, the High Epic who ruled Newcago. Having rid that city of its virulent overlord, the Reckoners have infiltrated Babylon Restored, formerly Manhattan, where their new target, High Epic Regalia, rules a flooded city inhabited by devil-may-care Babilarans. David, however, is becoming uneasy with the Reckoners' goal of slaying Epics. If indeed the Epics' fears are the keys to their weaknesses, as he speculates, perhaps they are not destined to destroy; perhaps they can learn to control themselves and their evil compulsions. His first target for salvation? His secret love, Megan, aka Firefight. But Prof is sure Megan is playing David in order to infiltrate the Reckoners' base and so plans to destroy her in spite of David's protests. This lacks the constant tension and edgy technology of Steelheart (2013), but this second in Sanderson's Reckoners series concludes in true, violent, high-action Steelslayer style, promising not only more of the same in the still-to-come Calamity, but hinting of future romance as well.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Sanderson will receive the expected five-star treatment: a pre-pub school tour, major social media campaigns, a "scavenger hunt" tour, and much more. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 7 Up—A nonstop, explosive sequel to Sanderson's epic series opener, Steelheart (2013). With Steelheart dead, David returns to the city to fight three seemingly indestructable Epics. With smart-aleck dialogue and humorous descriptions balancing the violent battle scenes, Sanderson manages to explore deeper themes and character development along with the blockbuster plotline.