Mirage (Above World)
Gr 5-8-In this sequel to Above World (Candlewick, 2012), power-hungry Karl Strand will stop at nothing in his quest for domination over all peoples, humans genetically modified long ago to survive in different environments: the underwater Kampii, the Aviars of the skies, and the horselike Equians, and the half-human/half-snake Serpenti of the deserts. Aluna, a Kampii, and her friends must race against time to convince the Equians and Serpenti to let go of their long-standing conflict and stand together against Strand and his malicious clone, Scorch. Mirage features compelling characters, plenty of action, and a thoroughly imagined world in which mermaids, centaurs, and others must work together to survive despite their differences. Those unfamiliar with the first book may find it difficult to cobble together a complete understanding of the Above World and its villain, but the dynamic plotline will keep readers engaged.-Sara Saxton, Tuzzy Consortium Library, Barrow, AKα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.