Gr 9 Up-The year is 2048. Teenager Chase, better known by her call sign, Nyx, is a pilot in training for the American military's topmost secret project. Back in 2020, American pilots were massacred in an airfight by dronesdictator Ri Xiong Di's most effective weapon. The entire world has endured a second Cold War ever since. No other countries are allowed to aid the U.S. at all, and the people are suffering. The military is secretly testing two new plane prototypes that might outrun the drones. However, their pilots must be young and strong enough to withstand the tremendous force on the human body that occurs when traveling at high speeds. In order to get funding for more prototypes, Nyx and her comrades must prove the worth of the project. On a training mission, Nyx spots a third prototype that she didn't know existed. In her haste to discover the identity of its pilot and country, Nyx endangers the entire project and many lives as well. But, if she can start dismantling the wall she's built around herself since her difficult childhood, she might be able to trust someone, fall in love, and save the day. Similar to the S.J. Kincaid's "Insignia" series (HarperCollins), this novel distinguishes itself. The dialogue is authentic, and the characters are nuanced. Chase has determination and resolve, even in the face of her fears. The description of her flights is breathtakingly realistic. VERDICT Strong characterizations, action, adventure, and emotion combine to produce a sci-fi novel that is more than just the sum of its parts. Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ

By 2028, America has descended into poverty as a cold war with the New Eastern Bloc, Ri Xiong Di, has cut them off from allied support. Chase Harcourt, call sign Nyx, is one of the U.S. Air Force's best pilots, even though she's only a cadet. She's training to fly one of two experimental Streaker jets, designed to combat Ri Xiong Di's lethal drones and save America. No pressure, right? Cocky, competitive, and reckless, Chase is itching to pilot her Streaker against the enemy, but she may lose her chance after disobeying her superiors and exposing a key military secret: there's a third Streaker and a pilot training covertly, and no one is happy he's been discovered. This thriller is a heart-stopper, both for its adrenaline-fueled descriptions of flying maneuvers and its nuanced daredevil lead character. As the war heats up, McCarthy puts her characters in increasingly tense situations, testing them to the breaking point and giving what could have been merely a popcorn thriller sudden gravity. This crazy-cool story should soar.