What We’re Reading

River Secrets | Shannon Hale

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Picking up not long after the wars have ended, this latest Book of Bayern tells the tale of two countries trying to restore themselves to peace.

Bayern is uncomfortable with the idea presented to them–that Tira would like to send an ambassador to stay with them, and would like the Bayern to do the same. But as Queen, Isi feels she must try. After all, it’s easy to consider someone an enemy when you know nothing of them. It’s harder when you know they could be a friend.

Razo, who often questions his position in the King’s Own, as do the rest of the Own, is chosen to be among the 50 Bayern to make the trip. Much to his dismay, his friend Enna is chosen as well. After her part in the war, Razo feels this is unwise, but Enna feels she needs to go, and Isi seems to agree.

Razo finds his misgivings come to life early into their journey. While wandering around the camp where they awaited the Tiran, he stumbled upon a body burnt to a crisp. He tells only Captain Talone, who helps him to dump it in the river.

Now even more worried about his friend, Razo’s fate turns even bleaker when the Tiran arrive, and a fight immediately ensues.

The soldier who stabs him is left behind to starve, but his friend is still with them, and most definitely would waste no opportunity to finish what his companion had started.

Indeed, many more attacks on the Bayern are attempted while they stay in Tira. And more mysterious burned bodies found. Razo, set to spy the answers out by Talone, is in a race against time, trying to prove his old friend isn’t part of all the evil. He hopes equally that his new one isn’t either.

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