Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres
Random House, 2011, ISBN 978 1 74275 101 6.
(Age: Upper secondary) Highly recommended. In this, the second book
in the Night Creature series, Naif (formerly known as Retra) has
escaped death on the party island of Ixion. She was rescued by the
pirate Ruzalia, but wouldn't have survived Ixion without the help of
the mysterious, beautiful but sinister 'Riper' Lenoir, to whom she
was bonded.
Whilst on Ixion, Naif learnt that the young people (and only young
people are allowed on Ixion), had escaped the extreme conservatism
of their previous homes, only to have their life-span cut short. It
is the unknowing price they pay for the music, colour and freedom of
Ixion (burn bright - die young). She discovered a connection between
the Ripers (the rulers of Ixion) and the Elders of Grave, her
homeland.
To unravel the threads that bind the two supposed enemies, and in
the hope of reversing the process that causes the untimely death of
all the young 'badged' people on Ixion, she convinces Ruzalia to
help her return to Grave
She therefore finds herself in the very place that she took such
pains to escape. But what she finds there will overturn all her long
held and imposed beliefs.
This is a very good read, full of intriguing and strange characters,
with betrayal and danger always just around the corner. Fast paced,
original and with a slightly steam-punk feel (in the form of
airships, carriages that walk on legs and abandoned underground
cities). There is a real sense of the oppressive, religiously
fundamental society from which Naif comes; the controlling Elders
and the menacing Wardens with their ferocious hounds. Naif is a
wonderful, engaging character; strong, loyal, determined and
selfless. Despite her restrictive upbringing, and the very real and
terrible dangers she faces, Naif does not allow her resolve to save
her friends weaken. She is not without her flaws, as she struggles
to reconcile her feelings for the seductive Lenoir and to overcome
her fears and prejudices.
This book doesn't have the drug use and sexual undertones of the
first in the series, but I would still only recommended it for upper
secondary.
Alicia Papp