(2) 4-6 Chronicle of the Dark Star series. In this trilogy-closer, teens Liam and Phoebe (an alien Telphon) discover the force behind the destruction of their planets: an artificial intelligence called the Dark Star. By way of apology, the Dark Star creates an alternate universe with a new Earth for human refugees to inhabit and expands Liam's time-traveling abilities--but can she be trusted? Interest never lags as deceptions are unwound, temptations resisted, and humanity saved.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(3) YA Three Dark Crowns series. Katharine finally holds the crown of Fennbirn, but a growing rebellion troubles her reign. On the mainland, Arsinoe's and Mirabella's new lives are interrupted by haunting dreams that call them to return home. But it seems the rules the triplet queens were raised with have changed... With her large cast of characters fully established, Blake's expertly labyrinthine plotting comes to the fore in this third installment in the series.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(2) 4-6 Chronicle of the Dark Star series. In the aftermath of Earth's sun going supernova and the alien attack at Saturn base (Last Day on Mars), teens Liam and Phoebe plan to rendezvous with colonists at refueling-station planet Delphi. But Phoebe has a secret: she's not human. Rife with tension, time travel, and unexpected twists, this conceptually expansive science-fiction novel relies strongly on the human element to grab--and hold--readers' sympathies.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2018

(3) YA Three Dark Crowns series. The triplet queens from Three Dark Crowns continue their fight for the throne of Fennbirn Island as their respective magical talents grow. Equally important, however, are the complicated networks of family, friends, and political allies each sister sustains. In Blake's second bloody high fantasy, a twisty series of betrayals and back-from-the-brink survivals climaxes as an unexpected sister ascends at the expense of the others.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) YA Dark Caravan Cycle series. With lawful jinni ruler Nalia presumed dead (Blood Passage), the resistance to cruel usurper Calar continues from without (led by Nalia's love interest Raif, whose opposition to the caste system sets them at odds) and from within (Calar's consort-turned-traitor). While descriptions of Calar's sadistic cruelty can feel gratuitous, the vivid prose, complicated romance, and multi-layered climax make this a satisfying finale to the trilogy. Glos.

Reviewer: Claire E. Gross

(2) 4-6 Chronicle of the Dark Star series. In 2213, the last ship to a new planet will depart Mars in less than twenty-four hours. While bidding farewell to their home, teens Liam and Phoebe discover alien technology that reveals future events--including sabotage dooming the human exodus, unless they can stop it. Emerson doesn't stint on the stakes or the magnitude of danger in this thrilling space adventure.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2017

(4) 4-6 Dark Waters series. African American girl India Finch is just an ordinary preteen until, on a visit to her grandfather's in coastal Maine, she learns she's half-mermaid and can heal creatures of the sea. Each by-the-numbers but engaging hi-lo novel involves India helping save the mer while Gilbert spells out themes of friendship, working together, and accepting differences. Slick illustrations appear occasionally; discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Dark Waters titles: Fire and Ice and The Sighting.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) 4-6 Dark Waters series. Illustrated by Kirbi Fagan. African American girl India Finch is just an ordinary preteen until, on a visit to her grandfather's in coastal Maine, she learns she's half-mermaid and can heal creatures of the sea. Each by-the-numbers but engaging hi-lo novel involves India helping save the mer while Gilbert spells out themes of friendship, working together, and accepting differences. Slick illustrations appear occasionally; discussion questions and writing prompts are appended. Glos. Review covers these Dark Waters titles: Fire and Ice and The Sighting.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Dark Gravity Sequence series. After her mother's betrayal in Island of the Sun, Eleanor travels to the Himalayas to sever the connection to the rogue planet threatening Earth. But an alien spaceship poses a new danger, which has Eleanor seeking unlikely help from the Global Energy Trust. Kirby ramps up the action and tension while emotions run high in the third and final volume of this thrilling series.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) 4-6 Knights of the Borrowed Dark series. In the second installment, Denizen's life has (kinda) returned to normal--which for him includes dealing with monsters and understanding the powers Mercy left within him. A meeting between the Knights and Tenebrae reveals the cultish Croits, who worship an ancient Tenebrous. Rudden creates two intriguing focal points with the Knights and Croits; however, following both complicates the story line and makes it difficult to connect with the characters.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(4) YA Dark Roads series. These "map-your-destiny" novels focus on a teen who uses drugs and sex to cope with her parents' divorce (Skeleton); a young Latino man dealing with being gay (Bloodline); and the son of an addict changing his own fate (Fade). The racy, graphic books can be melodramatic, but they raise worthwhile questions about choices and consequences. There are three other fall 2016 books in this series. Review covers the following Dark Roads titles: Bloodline, Fade to Black, and Skeleton Princess.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Dark Roads series. These "map-your-destiny" novels focus on a teen who uses drugs and sex to cope with her parents' divorce (Skeleton); a young Latino man dealing with being gay (Bloodline); and the son of an addict changing his own fate (Fade). The racy, graphic books can be melodramatic, but they raise worthwhile questions about choices and consequences. There are three other fall 2016 books in this series. Review covers the following Dark Roads titles: Bloodline, Fade to Black, and Skeleton Princess.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(4) YA Dark Roads series. These "map-your-destiny" novels focus on a teen who uses drugs and sex to cope with her parents' divorce (Skeleton); a young Latino man dealing with being gay (Bloodline); and the son of an addict changing his own fate (Fade). The racy, graphic books can be melodramatic, but they raise worthwhile questions about choices and consequences. There are three other fall 2016 books in this series. Review covers the following Dark Roads titles: Bloodline, Fade to Black, and Skeleton Princess.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) YA Three Dark Crowns series. Every generation, royal female triplets are born, each to a different magical tradition. At sixteen, they fight to the death to rule Fennbirn Island. Blake builds a nuanced portrait of each girl, her powers, and her friends as the focus shifts among the heroines. The labyrinthine plot and its surprising twist set up a sequel; readers shouldn't expect resolution here.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) YA Dark Caravan Cycle series. Recently freed jinni Nalia (Exquisite Captive) is torn between her love for the jinni rebel leader, Raif, and an obligation to her former master, Malek, when they travel to Morocco in search of Solomon's sigil. This second Arabian Nights–inspired adventure features lush writing, innovative world-building, and plenty of religious and cultural details that will delight aspiring globetrotters and fantasy fans alike.

Reviewer: Barratt Miller

(4) YA Into the Dark series. The Greek mythology–inspired trilogy's conclusion (The Shadow Prince; The Eternity Key) finds human Daphne stuck in the Underrealm while Underlord Haden is dying in the mortal world. Worse, Haden's half-brother has seized the Underrealm's throne and plans to unleash the monstrous Keres. That sweethearts Daphne and Haden always just miss each other when traveling is contrived, but they do eventually get a happy ending.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Dark Gravity Sequence series. Having just shut down the Arctic Concentrator--an alien technology causing a new ice age--twelve-year-old Eleanor (The Arctic Code), her family, and friends crisscross the globe to find and stop the rest of the Concentrators while evading the Global Energy Trust. This action-packed second installment, lined with moral dilemmas and complex character relationships, is more than just your average adventure story.

Reviewer: Lana Barnes

(4) YA Dark Passages series. The new Now is an alternate Victorian London, where Emma (White Space) awakens in the body of schizophrenic grownup Elizabeth. Institutionalized in a psychiatric asylum, Emma must evade a nefarious doctor to relocate her friends and realign their realities. A complicated plot and sizable cast of characters with alternating aliases and versions of themselves limits this novel's appeal to series fans.

Reviewer: Grace Enriquez

(4) YA Into the Dark series. Haden (a banished Underlord), Daphne, and their friends search for the Key of Hades and a way to return to the Underrealm in time to prevent monsters from being loosed upon the world. The multiple first-person narrators' voices are not particularly distinctive, but the banter and will-they-won't-they angst of this tale inspired by the Persephone myth will appeal to supernatural-romance fans.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Dark Hunter series. Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen. These hi-lo horror tales pit the Dark Hunter and his two young assistants, Mary and Edgar, against a vampire, a witch, and a demonic ship. Fueled more by suspense than gore, each slight story employs action and stripped-down dialogue to hook reluctant readers. Frequent illustrations and roomy layouts light on text will keep readers moving. There are three other fall 2015 books in this series. Review covers these Dark Hunter titles: Ship of Death, The Red Thirst, and The Stone Witch.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac