In the follow-up to Magonia (2015), Aza Ray has returned to Earth from the sky kingdom of Magonia and is finally with her boyfriend, Jason. But their reunion is cut short when Aza's radical mother, Zal, escapes from prison. A secret agency kidnaps Aza, pulling her back into the war raging on Magonia, to help them locate the Flock, a legendary weapon that can destroy Zal. Most of the story's action revolves around Aza developing her powers by singing with her heartbird, a birdlike creature of Magonia, but this plot device can be hard to follow as more layers of strange magic are added. While a sequel, enough plot is recapped to allow new readers to join in here, though even established fans may find Aerie's world building and plot confusing. Despite choppy transitions between Aza's and Jason's points of view, there are moments of beautiful, lush writing that will please readers wishing to revel in Aza's bird-filled sky. The heroine's journey comes to a resolution, but an open ending leaves room for further installments.

Aza's life has never been more complicated, despite the fact that she has returned to Earth in a new body, escaping her world-destroying mother, Zal, and leaving behind the sky kingdom of Magonia. Although she wants to be happy to be back with her family and boyfriend, Jason, Aza still feels torna feeling she must confront even as she is imprisoned by a secret government organization and then immediately drawn back into the rebellion and political struggle of her homeland. As the distinction between friend and enemy grows difficult to understand, and new fantastical forces emerge, Aza stands at the center, and she must choose what role she will play.A sequel to Magonia (HarperCollins, 2015/VOYA October 2015), Aerie continues to develop a unique fantasy setting while also drawing upon tone and stylistic choices that align it with contemporary teen romance. The story is filled with action and intrigue, but some plot-driven meshing of real and fantasy elements lack nuance, which might have flushed out the ideological complexity of some of the topics the text broaches, such as mental illness, the ethics of drug-trials, spy-drone warfare, and ecological responsibility. The story focuses on Aza's struggle to decide where she belongs, as well as Jason's profound guilt over trying so hard to protect/control her that he unintentionally betrays her instead. The dual-voiced narrative nonetheless offers intriguing characterization and gender dynamics, paired with fascinatingly complex world-building that readers familiar with the series will especially enjoy.Meghann Meeusen.