Flora Fyrdraaca wants nothing more than to be a ranger, and for that she must master the magickal—and dangerous—language of Gramatica. But before she can find the ideal teacher, her aspirations are put to the test. Would a true ranger be intimidated by a tentacle that reaches for her from the depths of a toilet? Be daunted by her best friend’s transformation into a notorious outlaw, thanks to a pair of sparkly stolen boots? Be cowed by the revelation that only she can rescue the city of Califa from the violent earthquakes that threaten its survival?             Never. Saving her city and her best friend are the least a Girl of Spirit can do—yet what Flora doesn’t expect are the life-altering revelations she learns about her family and herself. Grade 8–10—The feisty protagonist from Flora Segunda (Harcourt, 2007) returns in another fantasy adventure. It's three months after her 14th birthday, and Flora, now officially an adult, is wrestling with new challenges. She's determined to find someone who will help her expand her Gramatica vocabulary (and thus her ability to do magick); her best friend tries on a dead outlaw's fancy footwear with alarming results (the boots attach themselves to Udo's feet and he takes on Springheel Jack's evil persona); and, having discovered the source of the frequent earthquakes threatening Califa, she vows to take action before the entire city topples. Flora's world is highly imaginative, and the politics, teen angst, and family dysfunction are integrated neatly with the fantasy elements. The setting, which geographically resembles California, and the Spanish-language-influenced names and words set this book apart from similar titles. However, this ambitious sequel misses the mark. The plot will make little sense to those who have not read the first tale, and even fans of Flora Segunda may find this installment occasionally hard to follow. Many scenes are so fast paced that they come across as superficial, and it often feels as though the author is trying to fit too much into the telling. Consider purchasing Flora's Dare only where the first book is popular.— Genevieve Gallagher, Buford Middle School, Charlottesville, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. YSABEAU S. WILCE is a remarkable new voice in fantasy. In addition to  Flora Segunda, her debut novel, she has written acclaimed short stories for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Asimov’s Science Fiction . She lives in Chicago, Illinois.   YSABEAU S. WILCE is a remarkable new voice in fantasy. In addition to  Flora Segunda, her debut novel, she has written acclaimed short stories for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction and Asimov’s Science Fiction . She lives in Chicago, Illinois.