Terminate. (Retribution). Natasha Deen. Victoria, BC: Orca, 2017. 173 pp., pbk., pdf & epub, $9.95 (pbk.). ISBN 978-1-4598-1462-2 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-4598-1463-9 (pdf), ISBN 978-1-4598-1464-6 (epub). Grades 7 and up / Ages 12 and up. Review by Tabitha Nordby. *** /4 Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy.

excerpt:

When it came to the low-lifes of the world, I was Bad Santa. The criminals better not run, and they better not cry. I was coming to get them, and they knew why.

Last time they had been in my sights, it was so I could avenge my family's murder. This time it was to find a friend who had fallen into darkness. I was going to bring her back to the light. If that cost a couple of bad guys their freedom, a few teeth and some broken bones I was fine with that.

In Burned, part of the "Retribution Trilogy" from Orca Books, readers met teenager Josie who had spent the last two years living on the street while she sought revenge on the cop who killed her family. In Terminate, Josie returns to save her friend, Amanda, who has fallen back into street life.

      Lately, several homeless teens have turned up dead, and Josie and her friends (whom readers will recognize from the other "Retribution" novels) begin to wonder if there is a link between their deaths. When they come across an underground fight club where young teens are being forced to fight and sometimes kill each other for sport, Josie and her friends amp up their search for Amanda, hoping she won't be one of the many victims of this cruel sport.

      Terminate is another fast-paced, high energy, and engaging novel in the "Retribution" series. Readers will be immediately engaged by the intriguing mystery posed in the first chapter, and their interest will only continue to increase as they follow Josie through her dark and gritty search for Amanda. Terminate will be enjoyed by teens who appreciate fast-paced novels with mystery elements.

Recommended.

Tabitha Nordby is a Readers' Advisory and Reference Instructor in the Library and Information Technology Program at Red River College in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

Next Review | Table of Contents for This Issue - June 2, 2017.

CM Home | Back Issues | Search | CM Archive | Profiles Archive