After a brief break, One to Watch is back. After several requests for more recognition of children's and young adult fiction, I've been scouring authonomy for the most interesting books for those of us still young at heart. There was a lot to choose from. But the title I felt most deserving for a little plug is:
Coveted is a full-throttle YA fantasy, which doesn't shy away from the 'big themes'. McKinney gives us Caleb, a brilliant hero, who finds himself caught in the middle of the ultimate battle - good vs evil. It's a strong concept, with a cracking and polished first chapter. Recently updated, it currently rests on 6 shelves. It deserves to sit on more.
Here's McKinney's Pitch
For seventeen-year-old Caleb, finding out you're on both Heaven and Hell's most wanted list isn't as bad as it sounds, it's the running that sucks.
In an ancient war being waged on modern streets, Caleb is an unwitting warrior and invaluable weapon that will guarantee victory for whichever side can catch him first.
As one of the Seven Sources, he wields a portion of the power holding the cosmos together and is capable of determining the outcome of Armageddon. Good and Evil have gained three Sources each, leaving him as the tie-breaker. And if he wasn't popular enough, Libra--a centuries old brotherhood whose sole purpose is to hunt down Sources before they fall into the wrong hands--has developed an unhealthy interest in trying to mount his head on a pike.
With everyone and their mother gunning for him, Caleb's main concern is making it to his eighteenth birthday, not playing favorites in some Biblical blood feud. He didn't sign up for any of this, but when his celestial stalkers turn their attention to his family to get to him, he is forced to rely on his own untapped abilities and left with two choices: sacrifice the ones he loves or watch humanity fall.
As one of the Seven Sources, he wields a portion of the power holding the cosmos together and is capable of determining the outcome of Armageddon. Good and Evil have gained three Sources each, leaving him as the tie-breaker. And if he wasn't popular enough, Libra--a centuries old brotherhood whose sole purpose is to hunt down Sources before they fall into the wrong hands--has developed an unhealthy interest in trying to mount his head on a pike.
With everyone and their mother gunning for him, Caleb's main concern is making it to his eighteenth birthday, not playing favorites in some Biblical blood feud. He didn't sign up for any of this, but when his celestial stalkers turn their attention to his family to get to him, he is forced to rely on his own untapped abilities and left with two choices: sacrifice the ones he loves or watch humanity fall.
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5 comments:
It is so good to see work being recognised and promoted that isn't in the usual genres. Sometimes, it's as though there are only certain types of books available to read as it's always the same genres being talked about and promoted. Well done Authonomy for recognising other talented writing in lesser supported categories.
Already had this watchlisted. Very well done....and what a premise!
Beautiful description sets the scene and it's a scary one in the action packed opening. Thrilling for both the young and, well... ever-so slightly older reader!
Nice find! I added this one to my watchlist.
Absolutely fascinating!Thanks for a super geat read!J
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