The Fireborn Chronicles
by Mary Andrews
Published by Swimming Kangaroo Books
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Reviewed by Julina K. Mills
No one has ever escaped the Hive. No one, that is, except for Rael, whose mother hid him away with a note begging for him to be taken and protected from the euphoria-inducing drugs that entrap the slaves on his home planet. Fully implanted with compu-link temple plates, but not yet addicted to the drug, newborn Rael is rescued by Marion Mahata, head of the Central Command for the Universal Government. In this tiny child who never cries, Marion recognizes an amazing potential and raises her adopted son to become the most successful Dark Ops leader in the Universe.
Rael and his teammates, Ira (a Wall Master and telempath) and Laynald (combination healer and assassin), find themselves involved in the most dangerous rescue mission of their young careers when they are asked to find the villain who has captured the mind of a Universal Government Ambassador. Creating a rogue team with friends he discovers in unlikely circumstances, Rael and his colleagues unravel mysteries from planet to planet, only to discover that finding his true identity is the greatest mystery of all.
A collection of three short stories which introduces each of the main characters, The Fireborn Chronicles is the first in a series of young adult novels. Author Mary Andrews brings each character to life independently, and then seamlessly blends them into a team of characters that continue to build off of each other. As an avid Sci Fi reader, I eagerly await her next book in the series, Book II of the Fireborn Chronicles, which is due to be released in late 2008.
Mary Andrews was born in Salina, Kansas. Raised in a military family, she has lived in England, Hawaii, and now makes her home in Texas where she continues to write.
Armchair Interviews says: Super start to a young adult sci-fi series.