These Rebel Waves

by Sara Raasch

Overview

A thrilling new fantasy series—full of deadly magic, double crosses, and a dangerous quest in a new world—from Sara Raasch, the New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series.

Adeluna is a soldier. Five years ago, she helped the magic-rich island of Grace Loray overthrow its oppressor, Agrid, a country ruled by religion.

But adjusting to postwar life has not been easy. When an Argridian delegate vanishes during peace talks with Grace Loray’s new Council, Argrid demands brutal justice—but Lu suspects something dangerous is at work.

Devereux is a pirate. As one of the stream raiders who run rampant on Grace Loray, he scavenges the island’s magic plants and sells them on the black market. But after Argrid accuses raiders of the diplomat’s abduction, Vex becomes a target. An expert navigator, he agrees to help Lu find the Argridian—but the truth they uncover could be deadlier than any war.

Benat is a heretic. The crown prince of Argrid, he harbors a secret obsession with Grace Loray’s forbidden magic. When Ben’s father, the king, gives him the shocking task of reversing Argrid’s fear of magic, Ben has to decide if one prince can change a devout country—or if he’s building his own pyre.

As conspiracies arise, Lu, Vex, and Ben will have to decide who they really are . . . and what they are willing to become for peace.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062471505
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/07/2018
Series:	These Rebel Waves , #1
Pages:	480
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.45(d)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sara Raasch has known she was destined for bookish things since the age of five, when her friends had a lemonade stand and she tagged along to sell her hand-drawn picture books too. Not much has changed since then: her friends still cock concerned eyebrows when she attempts to draw things, and her enthusiasm for the written word still drives her to extreme measures. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Snow Like Ashes series, These Rebel Waves, and These Divided Shores. You can visit her online at www.sararaaschbooks.com and @seesarawrite on Twitter.

Editorial Reviews

12/03/2018
In an island nation where multiple factions battle for control of its magical plants, three teens from different backgrounds become unlikely allies in the ongoing struggle against an occupying country and its religious zealotry. When an important diplomat is kidnapped, Adeluna, a former rebel soldier, hatches a plan to find him before war can break out, and she frees the notorious raider Deveraux Bell from prison so he can use his unique talents to aid her in her efforts. Meanwhile, Benat, crown prince of occupying Argrid, attempts to use the island’s natural magic to cure diseases, even though his own father will brand him as a heretic for it. This first volume in a duology pairs political intrigue, magic, and high adventure with a religious and social conflict reminiscent of the Spanish Inquisition. Between the extensive worldbuilding and sprawling cast, there’s a lot going on, and both the characters and story threads lack development. Still, Raasch (Frost like Night) creates an entertaining, complex story that will keep readers engaged up to the cliff-hanger ending. Ages 13–up. Agent: Mackenzie Brady Watson, Stuart Krichevsky Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

An action-packed political thriller filled with betrayal, plot twists, and touches of romance.” — Booklist

“Magic, politics, and religion collide in unexpected ways in this action-packed fantasy adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Full of mesmerizing magic, political intrigue plotted in dark grottos, and a cast of sharp-witted rogues, These Rebel Waves swashbuckled its way into my heart and never let go. Raasch has outdone herself with this new series. You won’t want to put it down.” — Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game and The Crown’s Fate

“Ambitious, smart, and breathlessly fun. A richly drawn world, multiple plot twists, and characters you’ll find yourself cheering for again and again make These Rebel Waves the kind of book where ‘just one more chapter’ just isn’t enough.” — Claire Legrand, author of Furyborn

Praise for FROST LIKE NIGHT: “Put[s] characters and readers alike through the emotional wringer…a fulfilling conclusion.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for ICE LIKE FIRE: “Will have readers awaiting the third book and hoping that it brings Meira and her people peace at long last.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for ICE LIKE FIRE: “Hard-core fantasy fans will eat this up and clamor for the conclusion.” — School Library Journal

Praise for ICE LIKE FIRE: “Lush and poetic” — Booklist

Praise for ICE LIKE FIRE: “Will have readers needing the next one, now.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “Snow Like Ashes is a thrilling story with unforgettable characters set in a stunning fantasy world that had me quickly turning pages. I want more!” — Morgan Rhodes, New York Times bestselling author of Falling Kingdoms

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “The plot and writing are superlative...Highly recommended.” — School Library Journal

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “A satisfying read.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “An enjoyable adventure-romance.” — Publishers Weekly

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “A new society, a grand adventure, and a first romance, all rolled into one big fantasy epic.” — Booklist

From the Publisher

An action-packed political thriller filled with betrayal, plot twists, and touches of romance.

Booklist

Full of mesmerizing magic, political intrigue plotted in dark grottos, and a cast of sharp-witted rogues, These Rebel Waves swashbuckled its way into my heart and never let go. Raasch has outdone herself with this new series. You won’t want to put it down.

Evelyn Skye

Praise for SNOW LIKE ASHES: “Snow Like Ashes is a thrilling story with unforgettable characters set in a stunning fantasy world that had me quickly turning pages. I want more!

Morgan Rhodes

05/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—On Grace Loray, an island rich with botanical magic, the lives of three teens intersect in ways that will change them forever. Benat is the crown prince of Argrid, a zealously religious kingdom that vehemently declares all magic evil. Devereux is a raider who sells the island's magical plants on the black market. Seventeen-year-old Adeluna is a former child soldier of the Grace Loray revolution against the Argridian oppressors. The war against Argrid is over, but when an Argridian official is kidnapped, old hostilities are ignited. Desperate to prevent war, Adeluna enlists the help of Devereux to clear the raiders of wrongdoing. Meanwhile, Benat is drawn to magic and questions whether or not it is evil. Raasch has created an intricate world of magical flora as well as a complex political structure. Unfortunately, the protagonists who populate this world fall short. Despite fully fleshed-out histories and characterization, the characters come across as automatons in their dialogue and actions. Adeluna is a take-no-prisoners heroine who also happens to be a brilliant magical botanist. Benat is gay and in a clandestine relationship, but is hiding it because he's with someone of a lower class (same-sex relationships are completely accepted). These factors almost make up for the stilted characterizations. This, along with the well-crafted nuances of the setting, will enthrall many readers until the book's dramatic cliff-hanger ending. VERDICT Short on characterization but long on scene, setting, and diversity, this book will charm readers with its constructed universe.—Heather M. Campbell, formerly at Philip S. Miller Library, Castle Rock, CO

School Library Journal

2018-05-28
Magic, politics, and religion collide in unexpected ways in this action-packed fantasy adventure.Adeluna "Lu" Andreu thought the war was behind her, but once a soldier, always a soldier. With the capture of Devereux "Vex" Bell, one of the island's most notorious unaligned raiders, the careful treaty about to be signed between Grace Loray and their enemy, Argrid, quickly falls apart, leaving the fragile new government in disarray. Argrid hopes to take advantage of this moment to resume control of Grace Loray and its supply of magical plants. Botanical magic that can heal wounds, give strength, or cause explosions could turn the tide of the inevitable war. While outwardly pious and opposed to magic, crown prince Benat "Ben" Gallego knows more about the subject than any loyal citizen should and risks being labeled a heretic, with potentially devastating consequences. Readers will cheer on Lu, Vex, and Ben as they try to come to terms with their pasts to decide who they want to become and what role they want to play in the coming violence. While the pacing can be uneven, there is enough action and intrigue to keep readers invested. Strong, smart female characters lead the revolution, and romance (both straight and gay) is hinted at without distracting from the story. Characters' complexions range from pale to dark brown.A cliffhanger ending will leave readers excited for the second installment in this duology. (Fantasy. 13-adult)

Kirkus Reviews

Ambitious, smart, and breathlessly fun. A richly drawn world, multiple plot twists, and characters you’ll find yourself cheering for again and again make These Rebel Waves the kind of book where ‘just one more chapter’ just isn’t enough.

Claire Legrand

Praise for ICE LIKE FIRE: “Will have readers needing the next one, now.

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

An action-packed political thriller filled with betrayal, plot twists, and touches of romance.

Booklist