(2) YA Maria Anna Mozart (nicknamed Nannerl) was a musical child prodigy in her own right, though now mainly remembered only in relation to her famous younger brother, Wolfgang (Woferl) Amadeus. Lu's historical fantasy begins in 1759 Salzburg, after an event where Woferl steals eight-year-old Nannerl's spotlight; she makes a wish to be "worthy of praise, of being loved and remembered" and dreams of a magical land, the Kingdom of Back. Hyacinth, a faery princeling, later appears and offers to grant Nannerl's wish if she'll help him seek the kingdom's throne. As Nannerl begins to realize the more sinister aspects of the Kingdom, will her fear of being forgotten outweigh the danger it poses to her and, especially, her brother? Lu's exploration of the complex Mozart family dynamics and the period in which they lived is fascinating, and her knowledge of music and composition is evident; the fantastical kingdom and its inhabitants, particularly Hyacinth, feel underdeveloped in comparison. While this is a genre departure for the author (Legend, rev. 11/11; The Young Elites, rev. 1/15), Nannerl's believable development as an empowered character is classic Lu. An author's note explains that while the Mozart children actually did invent a Kingdom of Back, this version is Lu's creation.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2020

(2) YA Talin is a Striker, one of an elite force defending the Mara peninsula from invasion by the Karensa Federation. When she is summoned to witness the execution of a Federation prisoner, Red, she senses something unusual about him and asks that he be spared. In retribution, Talin's commanding officer assigns him to her to replace the combat partner whose death she is still grieving. Red is hostile at first but soon reveals why he fled the ­Federation--and why saving him might be Mara's only hope of holding off the Federation's invasion. Red's mysterious abilities include a mental link that binds him to Talin, leading to the beginnings of a tantalizing romance. The high-stakes action (including graceful, deadly combat) more than once has readers fearing for the characters' lives as the closely bonded crew of Strikers get themselves in over their heads. In addition, Lu brings in themes of disability (Talin has mutism and communicates using signs) and prejudice to a ­science-fiction tale with many of the markers of traditional fantasy. This series opener brings Talin to a devastating choice, setting up a potentially thrilling sequel.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2021

(2) YA Years have passed since the events of the original Legend trilogy (Legend, rev. 11/11, and sequels), and Daniel Wing now lives in Ross City, Antarctica, where he works in the intelligence service for the fledgling nation, while his younger brother, Eden, is attending university there on scholarship for his engineering prowess. Antarctica may provide relative anonymity for the brothers, but its sociopolitical foundation is shaky, as the country's system of rewards and punishments does not offer true opportunities for social mobility, leaving a vast underclass seething with desperation and resentment. As Eden ventures into the Undercity to help a friend, he gets drawn into the clutches of the very crime lord that Daniel has been unsuccessfully tracking. Meanwhile, June has arrived in Antarctica on a diplomatic mission, and Daniel still has feelings for her. In alternating first-person narratives, the book hurtles to its climax as both brothers find themselves in danger, torn by strong feelings of love, loyalty, and honor. The setting isn't as fully realized here as in the original trilogy, but fans will welcome the opportunity to revisit these beloved characters, and the tried-and-true formula of adventure, suspense, and romance once again proves satisfying.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(2) YA Emika Chen (Warcross) isn't over Hideo Tanaka, inventor of the virtual reality–enabling NeuroLink, which was redesigned to subvert people's free will. While preparing for the Warcross championship rematch game, Emika is courted by Hideo's nemesis (and long-ago-kidnapped younger brother), Zero. This edge-of-your-seat sequel propels readers through action sequences and intrigue in the shadowy Tokyo underground, even as they may ponder the ethical implications of biotechnology, virtual realities, and artificial intelligence.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2018

(3) YA DC Icons series. Eighteen-year-old do-gooder Bruce Wayne lands in community service mopping Arkham Asylum and becomes obsessed with a young female inmate (Batman). Selina Kyle steals from Gotham City's rich and powerful, encountering other female criminal powerhouses as well as steamy Luke Fox, a.k.a. Batwing (Catwoman). These classic dark superhero tales are full of the expected action, intrigue, and tangled romance. Maas's characters are especially woke. Review covers these DC Icons titles: Batman and Catwoman.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(2) YA Emika Chen hacks into phenomenally popular virtual-reality game Warcross. She's only the second person to do so, and its young inventor promises her an outrageous sum to locate the first hacker: shadowy villain Zero. Written in a first-person, present-tense style, Lu's (the Legend and Young Elites novels) latest is a blend of action, suspense, romance, and speculative fiction that will please her eager fans.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2017

(3) YA Young Elites series. Formerly outcast, now a ruthless illusion-wielding queen, Adelina (The Young Elites; The Rose Society) fights off bitter whispers that are the dark side of her power. The chance to reunite with her estranged-yet-beloved sister, Violetta, leads her on a desperate quest to heal the world rift that allows malfetto powers through. An elegiac, redemptive ending brings this fantasy exploration of a heroine-turned-villainess full circle.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(4) 4-6 Spirit Animals series. The fight against the Conquerors finally concludes as the four young heroes, their spirit animals, and companions they've gathered along the way work to rid the world of the evil threatening to destroy them. At this point, the (now-tired) themes of betrayal and separation/reunion tend to flatten poignant moments, but the action-driven story provides excitement for fans. As before, an online component extends the story.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA With her mentor and romantic interest Enzo killed (The Young Elites), outcast illusion-worker Adelina schemes to seize the throne. But rival queen Maeve's malfetto talent is raising the dead--can Adelina trick Maeve and bind a resurrected Enzo to her will? Exploring the dark side of human emotions, author Lu turns her rich imagination to how a heroine might turn villainess.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) YA In the island kingdom of Kenettra, Adelina is a malfetto, one of the few who survived a blood fever to emerge with otherworldly abilities. Adelina is rescued from the Inquisition by a band of malfettos serving dispossessed crown prince Enzo. Lu's vision of gifted young outcasts is a dark one; several hard-hitting twists will shock readers in this series-opener likely to be a hit.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2015

(2) YA Having fled Los Angeles for the relative safety of Las Vegas at the end of Legend, Day and June decide to throw caution to the wind and join forces with the Patriots to assassinate the newly ascended Elector Primo. Readers not hooked by the sociopolitical elements will still clamor for the final volume to see whether Day and June's romance can survive.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2013

(2) YA Having been diagnosed with a terminal illness, Day (Legend; Prodigy) takes care of his brother, Eden, victim of the Republic's experiments in biological warfare. International diplomacy raises the stakes in this final volume of the trilogy, but readers will likely care more about whether Day and June (the Republic's prodigy) can repair their passionate romance. Lu's storytelling is compulsively readable.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2014

(2) YA In the distant future, the western half of the United States has seceded and is ruled by an oppressive totalitarian regime. Fifteen-year-old Day is one of its most wanted criminals. June, also fifteen and one of the Republic's brightest prodigies, is hunting Day down to kill him. The story is written in alternating first-person present-tense narratives with lightning-fast pacing and nonstop action.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2011