The Alliance (#04 in Verindon Series)

I really enjoyed this YA sci-fi novel where two rival people groups have to work together to defeat a common enemy. There are lots of imaginative speculative elements, but it has a universal message for today, especially in view of recent race riots across the globe. As Vashta and Brandonin work together, they learn that their peoples have more in common than not, and they can only benefit from working together. \\n\\nThe action and battle sequences were particularly good. There was a lot of edge-of-your-seat suspense, and a lot of ingenuity in getting out of tricky situations. Stringer also writes really well and the pacing was good throughout. \\n\\n I would have liked to see a bit more of an emotional punch at the end, though there is a satisfying resolution. I can't be more specific due to spoilers. \\n\\nThe novel also raises some ethical issues about how far you would go to save your own kind, so there was certainly some food for thought. I also liked the way that Vashta put herself in the thick of the action, even though she was 5th in line to the throne after her sisters. She was certainly no wilting violet. An enjoyable novel overall. \\n