The Scourge - by Jennifer A Nielsen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

An electrifying adventure from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen! What happens when a plague isn't all that kills...

As a lethal plague sweeps through the land, Ani Mells is shocked when she is unexpectedly captured by the governor's wardens and forced to submit to a test for the deadly Scourge. She is even more surprised when the test results come back positive, and she is sent to Attic Island, a former prison turned refuge -- and quarantine colony -- for the ill. The Scourge's victims, Ani now among them, can only expect to live out short, painful lives there. However, Ani quickly discovers that she doesn't know the whole truth about the Scourge or the Colony. She's been caught in a devious plot, and, with the help of her best friend, Weevil, Ani means to uncover just what is actually going on.But will she and Weevil survive long enough to do so?The Scourge is an explosively thrilling tale of adventure and intrigue, courage and heart from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Scourge: "A strong, feisty main character... narrates a story that is equal parts adventure, mystery, and political intrigue." -- The Horn Book "Ani's willingness to help others, a hard battle in herself as she tries to get over long-held assumptions, demonstrates effectively how emergencies can bridge distances." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"Nielsen's (A Night Divided) polished fantasy smoothly combines medieval elements with hints of mystery and romance... it delivers a significant message about how misinformation breeds intolerance." -- Publishers Weekly "Nielsen provides readers with a strong, three-dimensional heroine and a plot that will keep readers guessing." -- School Library Connection "The characters are well defined and memorable. Feisty Ani, a likable character who is thoughtful and strong, drives the story forward and keeps readers wanting to know more... A solid choice for readers who enjoy tales of strong heroines set in the ever-popular dystopian genre." -- School Library JournalPraise for The Traitor's Game: A New York Times bestseller"The next big YA fantasy." -- Entertainment Weekly "One of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Books of 2018." -- Bustle "We were immediately caught up in Kestra's story, plotting beside a heroine made of strength, bravery and intelligence. Her complicated relationship with Simon and the danger sewn into every moment of her father's palace politics kept us flipping pages in time with each jaw-dropping plot twist." -- Justine Magazine"Fantasy, action and romance combine for a whirlwind ride in Jennifer A. Nielsen's The Traitor's Game!" -- Girls' Life "One of the Most Anticipated YA Books of 2018." -- Hypable "Nielsen creates wonderful characters in all of her novels, and she is especially talented at writing complex, intriguing females who refuse to fit into any neat categories. The first in her engrossing Traitor's Game series introduces readers to another fascinating heroine, who disrupts the plans and plots laid to trap her and insists on controlling her own narrative.... Engrossing, emotional and offers plenty of promise for the series to come." -- RT Book Reviews "One of the Most Anticipated YA Fantasy Novels of 2018." -- B&N Teen Blog"[An] action-packed, romance-laden tale." -- Publishers Weekly "This rip-roaring tale has action galore with battle scenes, kidnappings, murder, intrigue, and romance.... Nielsen has created a compelling world where little is as it seems." -- School Library Connection "Nielsen does a masterful job keeping readers off guard while tightening the screws of tension throughout, satisfying even the most reluctant readers." -- School Library Journal "The twists and turns of the plot make for compelling reading that should especially entertain fans of Nielsen's Ascendance trilogy." -- The Horn Book "The Traitor's Game is intrigue and adventure with a bold heroine, some forbidden romance and plenty of twists along the way." -- Shelf Awareness "The Traitor's Game by Jennifer A. Nielsen, is an action-packed story that leaves you yearning for more. The new book is an amazing addition to Nielsen's repertoire... Fit with a feisty heroine and some tough kidnappers, The Traitor's Game keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout." -- The Missourian"Kestra may be one of my favorite characters of all time. She is courageous, bold beyond belief and also positively petulant, with a tendency for tantrums. The perfect protagonist for this adventurous, action-packed fantasy. Mixed with a bit of magic, a completely captivating saga is created; a stellar start to a tempting trilogy." -- Buried Under Books "If you like your heroines fierce, your heroes protective, their loyalties divided, their missions complex, their motivations hidden, their lives full of secrets, The Traitor's Game is an absolute must." -- FiktshunPraise for the Ascendance Trilogy: A New York Times Notable Children's BookA Publishers Weekly Best Book of the YearA Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's BookA Cybils Award Winner* "An impressive, promising story." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review"[A] pageturner." -- New York Times Book Review "Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." -- The Wall Street Journal "A swashbuckling origin story... chock-full of alluring details for adventure-loving boys." -- Los Angeles Times "A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." -- School Library Journal"Gripping." -- Kirkus Reviews "Should appeal to fans of... Suzanne Collins... [A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." -- The Horn BookPraise for Words on Fire: * "Gripping... Audra's story deserves a place on the shelf next to Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief." -- Booklist, starred review"[This] adventure about a little-known place and time... delivers action and suspense." -- Kirkus Reviews "There is much on offer in this novel: family love, patriotism, magic, and the importance of books... Highly recommended." -- School Library ConnectionPraise for Resistance: A Sydney Taylor Notable Book"The edge-of-your-seat climax places readers amidst the gritty, horrifying street battles of the Warsaw Ghetto and pays tribute to those who sacrificed themselves so others would live... Historical fiction at its finest, this informs, enlightens, and engages young readers." -- School Library Journal"Highlight[s] moments of resistance via cinematic action sequences." -- Kirkus Reviews "Suspense mounts continually as Chaya survives her ordeals, gaining strength and faith in her mission. The courage and self-sacrifice of many characters is inspiring." -- Publishers Weekly "Fast-paced and suspenseful." -- School Library ConnectionPraise for A Night Divided: ILA-CBC Children's Choices List selection"Absorbing and deeply suspenseful, with plenty of ticking-clock tension... an eye-opening glimpse of history." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A marvelously crafted historical novel about courage, perseverance and the will to survive, A Night Divided excels in every regard." -- Reading Eagle "Distinct supporting characters... demonstrate the harrowing choices people made to survive, encouraging readers to consider what they would have done if fate and history had cast them into the story... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page." -- School Library Journal "History buffs will drool over the magnificently told tale, but even reluctant readers will become immersed in the tension-filled exploits." -- Voice of Youth Advocates"Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger." -- Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne, The Captive Kingdom, and The Shattered Castle. She also wrote the New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game and its sequels; the New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy; The Free State of Jax; The Scourge; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, Rescue, Lines of Courage, Iceberg, Uprising, One Wrong Step, and Magnitude. Jennifer collects old books, loves good theater, and thinks that a quiet afternoon in the mountains makes for a nearly perfect moment. She lives in northern Utah with her family, and is probably sneaking in a bite of dark chocolate right now. You can visit her online at jennielsen.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @nielsenwriter.