Rebels struggle to free their occupied city from the Aelrian Empire.Four years ago, Leithon fell to Aelrian rule through betrayal. Now Liam, once a gifted student in the Arcanum, the center of all magic, hides his power from Imperial magebreakers and struggles with survivor's guilt. Arian, his twin sister, is a master thief, braving the city's heights as she steals from the Empire and helps the Leithonian Resistance. When the mysterious Cavar hires them to steal Kuthil's Star, a powerful object last guarded by their late mother, the former Speaker of the Arcanum, the twins see it as a chance for redemption. As Cavar and Arian infiltrate the Bastion-and predictably grow close-Liam wields his magic for the Resistance and forges his own path of revenge. Depictions of the twins' grief and trauma and their impact on the actions they take add complexity and realism to the story. The way the story explores the impact of emotion on those doing magic is intriguing. The rotating points of view add an extra dimension to the plot and themes but slow down the action despite some exhilarating magical fights. The discussion of the past, occupation, and societal roles bind the characters together and lead to a satisfying climax. The twins read White; Cavar has black hair and light brown skin.Cinematic action and an entertaining caper balance the occasionally dense text. (Fantasy. 13-18)

Gr 9 Up— Ever since the city of Leithon fell under Imperial occupation, the Athensor twins have each been flying under the radar—Arian as a skilled and daring thief stealing magical artifacts for the Resistance, and Liam hiding his incredible magical gifts from the Aelrian Empire's magebreakers. When a mysterious outsider named Cavar hires Arian to steal an artifact capable of ripping the souls from the living—an artifact their late mother was once tasked with safekeeping—the twins quickly become embroiled in court intrigue, family secrets, and their own long-suppressed grief. Bonnin's sophomore novel is an action-packed fantasy told from the perspectives of multiple well-rounded, realistic characters, each with their own struggles. The author tackles topics of generational trauma and military occupation unflinchingly yet sensitively. The twins present white, while Cavar is described as having black hair and light brown skin. The author has stated one of the characters is autistic. VERDICT A sure winner for fans of Neal Shusterman, Victoria Aveyard, and Tomi Adeyemi. Recommended purchase.— Kaitlin Frick