Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan sounds like just my kind of book! I am a huge fan of high fantasies with rebels and kingdoms. I find it very interesting how in this book, reading is illegal. I definitely wouldn’t be able to live without books! I am super excited for this one and I’m glad that there is only a short wait now.
Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
Title: Sword and VerseAuthor: Kathy MacMillan
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: January 19, 2016
Raisa was only a child when she was kidnapped and enslaved in Qilara. Forced to serve in the palace of the King, she’s endured hunger, abuse, and the harrowing fear of discovery. Everyone knows that Raisa is Arnath, but not that she is a Learned One, a part of an Arnath group educated in higher order symbols. In Qilara, this language is so fiercely protected that only the King, the Prince, and Tutors are allowed to know it. So when the current Tutor-in-training is executed for sharing the guarded language with slaves and Raisa is chosen to replace her, Raisa knows that, although she may have a privileged position among slaves, any slipup could mean death.
That would be challenging enough, but training alongside Prince Mati could be her real undoing. And when a romance blossoms between them, she’s suddenly filled with a dangerous hope for something she never before thought possible: more. Then she’s approached by the Resistance—an underground army of slaves—to help liberate the Arnath people. Joining the Resistance could mean freeing her people…but she’d also be aiding in the war against her beloved, an honorable man she knows wants to help the slaves.
Working against the one she loves—and a palace full of deadly political renegades—has some heady consequences. As Raisa struggles with what’s right, she unwittingly uncovers a secret that the Qilarites have long since buried…one that, unlocked, could bring the current world order to its knees.
And Raisa is the one holding the key.
Book Quotes: Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
What might happen if writing were a shared endeavor, meant t connect people instead of being hoarded as a tool of power and privilege.
Mati took in my expression, and a moment later I was in his arms. His kisses washed over me like floodwater over parched earth. I clutched him helplessly, tears falling down my face and mingling with his as he whispered my name.
About Kathy MacMillan
Kathy MacMillan is a writer, American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and signing storyteller. She writes picture books (the Little Hands Signing series and The Runaway Shirt, Familius Press), children’s nonfiction (She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World, Familius Press), and young adult fantasy. Her debut young adult novel, Sword and Verse (2016) was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award, and its companion novel, Dagger and Coin (2018) has been called a “complex feminist fantasy” by author Heidi Heilig. She has also published 8 resource books for educators, librarians, and parents, including Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press). Kathy serves as the Mentorship Program Coordinator for the Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia Region of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives in Baltimore, MD
I had the joy of reading Sword and Verse a few weeks ago and it absolutely is brilliant – I ADORED it, gosh!
Check out my WoW here!
I have heard so many amazing things and I cannot wait for it!!!
I look at this and think it sounds too high fantasy for me, but I know if I don’t read it I’ll be very disappointed. I seem to really enjoy all these types of books now! Great pick!
Check out my WOW
I read this one this past week and it is absolutely amazing. You’re going to love it.
I couldn’t handle life without books! What a miserable thing that would be! Thank you for reminding me about this awesome story. I am definitely looking forward to it. And I am a HUGE fan of the cover!
I do like my fair share of high fantasy so I can picture myself liking this one quite a bit! I would love to see how it turns out for me too. Will add this one to the TBR list of mine :3
Sounds like a great book for teens who love to read.
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