New England Book Award Finalist “A top-notch dragon story…Both nuanced and real.” — Shelf Awareness (starred review) “I absolutely devoured it.” —Mackenzi Lee, bestselling author of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue “Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Renée Ahdieh, and Cindy Pon.” —Saundra Mitchell, author of All the Things We Do in the Dark and editor of YA anthology All Out A determined young woman sets out to rescue her kidnapped girlfriend by stealing a dragon from the corrupt emperor in this stunning fantasy debut that’s perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson, Rae Carson, and Rachel Hartman. Raised among the ruins of a conquered mountain nation, Maren dreams only of sharing a quiet life with her girlfriend Kaia—until the day Kaia is abducted by the Aurati, prophetic agents of the emperor, and forced to join their ranks. Desperate to save her, Maren hatches a plan to steal one of the emperor’s coveted dragons and storm the Aurati stronghold. If Maren is to have any hope of succeeding, she must become an apprentice to the Aromatory—the emperor’s mysterious dragon trainer. But Maren is unprepared for the dangerous secrets she uncovers: rumors of a lost prince, a brewing rebellion, and a prophecy that threatens to shatter the empire itself. Not to mention the strange dreams she’s been having about a beast deep underground… With time running out, can Maren survive long enough to rescue Kaia from impending death? Or could it be that Maren is destined for something greater than she could have ever imagined? Gr 8 Up—Maren ben Gao, 17, spends her days quietly in the mountains with her girlfriend, Kaia. Her peaceful days are shattered once Kaia is kidnapped by the Aurati, who force her to join their ranks. The only way that Maren can save Kaia is to find a way into the empire, but first she must capture one of the Emperor's dragons. Maren becomes an apprentice to the dragon trainer, who reveals secrets surrounding the estate, making Maren feel as though she must continue to help. Her only goal is to free Kaia, but she ends up bonding with the dragon so deeply that her plan becomes upended. Wells has built a mesmerizing world that will draw readers in and has created characters with depth and charisma. Readers will not want Maren to abandon the dragon to complete her mission and will feel just as torn as she does. Those who can't resist the fire-breathing creatures will enjoy this first installment of a series, which ends on a cliff-hanger, with Maren ready to continue on into another book. VERDICT A great addition to high school library collections, particularly those looking for LGBTQ romance.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI *A 2020 Rainbow List selection *A NEW ENGLAND BOOK AWARD FINALIST * “Rebecca Kim Wells has crafted a top-notch dragon story. Her fantasy world-building is excellent, the plot anchored by a strong young woman who feels both nuanced and real...The story builds momentum until its breathtaking finish, concluding the episode while leaving larger issues unresolved and ready to be picked up in the second installment of this promised duology.” -- Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW "Debut author Wells' beautiful prose and compelling protagonist will leave readers eager for the sequel." -- Kirkus Reviews "A great addition to high school library collections, particularly those looking for LGBTQ romance." -- School Library Journal "Wells’ satisfying and inclusive debut hits the fantasy trifecta: rich world building, nuanced characters, and deeply impressive dragons. A new author—and new series—to watch." -- Booklist "A thrilling fantasy adventure." -- Publishers Weekly "This is a compelling, inclusive, deftly written debut fantasy, and I am very much looking forward to the sequel." -- Tor.com "In Shatter the Sky , Rebecca Kim Wells has created a fierce, brave, stalwart protagonist and a full-realized fantasy world reminiscent of writers like Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley , all infused with intersectionality, feminism, and, of course, dragons. This is a fairytale for people who have never seen themselves in fairytales before. Anne McCaffrey for the next generation, and I absolutely devoured it ." -- Mackenzi Lee, bestselling author of THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE "Rebecca Kim Wells' debut combines epic storytelling and inclusive worldbuilding to create a novel that feels both timeless and timely. Come for the dragons; stay for the exhilarating ending that will have you eagerly awaiting the sequel." -- Melissa Bashardoust, author of GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS " Shatter the Sky is masterfully transportive, a high fantasy that soars with the dragons and scales the heights for love. Every page left me riveted. Perfect for fans of Tamora Pierce, Renée Ahdieh and Cindy Pon, Shatter the Sky invites the reader into a world they will want to visit again and again ." -- Saundra Mitchell, author of ALL THE THINGS WE DO IN