Across a Star-Swept Sea
Centuries after wars
nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand
alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating
brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the
isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned
deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their
enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known
as the Wild Poppy.
On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.
Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.
In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.
On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.
Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.
In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.
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I loved the last book in this series (Persuasion! One of the best and yet least lauded Austen) and had high hopes for this book. And loved it! This is based on another book that is fabulous but not lauded as often as others, Scarlet Pimpernel. Super fun book, both the original and this post-apocalyptic tropical redux. I loved the characters, I loved knowing the behind the scenes movements (I hate being in the dark) and loved seeing Kai and Elliot again. I wonder what the next book will bring - I didn't feel completely finished with these characters, it would be nice to see them again as more than a cameo.
Mom note: As
a mother of readers, I also
want to make a note to myself (and others if they care) why I would or
would not have my children read this book, because honestly, sometimes I
forget. This is a YA book, so everything is within YA strictures.
Violence: mild; Profanity: none; Sex: mild
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