Claire loves to read!

Publication Date: 22nd May 2014

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

ISBN: 978-1447235309

Source: Publisher provided review copy

Rating: 4*

Synopsis:

In the village of Martindale, hundreds of miles north of the new English capital of Windsor, sixteen-year-old Silver Blackthorn takes the Reckoning. This coming-of-age test not only decides her place in society - Elite, Member, Inter or Trog - but also determines that Silver is to become an Offering for King Victor.

But these are uncertain times and no-one really knows what happens to the teenagers who disappear into Windsor Castle. Is being an Offering the privilege everyone assumes it to be, or do the walls of the castle have something to hide?

Trapped in a maze of ancient corridors, Silver finds herself in a warped world of suspicion where it is difficult to know who to trust and who to fear. The one thing Silver does know is that she must find a way out . . .

Review:

I decided to re-read Reckoning when I received a review copy of Renegade, the second book in the Silver Blackthorn series (Publication Date 7th May 2015) - I really enjoyed it second time around, particularly as I knew I could start Renegade straight after!

Silver is a strong female lead. Comparisons to Katniss from The Hunger Games are inevitable, but that is no bad thing - this trilogy certainly has the potential to be as successful.

This novel is fast-paced and a real page turner. It's exciting from the outset and I really got caught up in Silver's life. Her devastation at being sent as an Offering to the King, leaving behind her family and best friend, shows her vulnerability. The way that Silver is written, particularly where she reveals her determination to find a way out of the Castle to regain her freedom, really made me warm to her and will her to succeed. I can't wait to start reading Renegade and discover what Silver gets up to next!