Title: Dangerous
Author: Shannon Hale
First published March 4, 2014
405 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781599901688 (ISBN10: 1599901684)
Rating: 3.44
Overview
When Maisie Danger Brown decided to attend a leadership conference, she never imagined that a routine trip would turn her world upside down. After finding herself in the midst of a dangerous plot, Maisie discovers that her friends are being targeted by a lethal force.
With no one else to turn to, Maisie becomes their only hope for survival. As the threat grows more imminent, Maisie realizes that this is not just an attack on her loved ones, but on the entire world.
In this heart-pounding novel by Shannon Hale, Maisie must confront the ultimate question: how far is she willing to go to save those she loves and protect the planet from annihilation?
About the Author
Shannon Hale has written six young adult novels that have been very popular, including Princess Academy, which was a Newbery Honor book. She has also written three books for adults, and her latest one, called Midnight in Austenland, will be available in January 2012.
Shannon Hale has also co-written a graphic novel called Rapunzel’s Revenge and its sequel, Calamity Jack, with her husband Dean Hale. They live in Utah with their four children and a plastic pig.
Editoral Review
In Shannon Hales 2014 novel Dangerous, readers are transported to the diverse world of the planet Perilous, where certain individuals are born with extraordinary abilities. Hale, a New York Times bestselling author of over 20 books, including The Princess Academy and The Books of Bayern series, brings her imaginative storytelling skills to this young adult science fiction novel.
The novel is set in a society that values conformity and operates under strict laws that limit the use of magical powers. The protagonist, Maisie Danger Brown, is a brilliant and rebellious teenager who is granted the opportunity to attend an exclusive space camp.
At camp, she meets four other teenagers with unique abilities like her own, and together they uncover a dangerous plot that threatens not only their own lives, but the entire planet. Hales use of diverse characters, settings and vivid descriptions make Dangerous an engaging and immersive read.
The story is packed with thrilling action sequences thatll keep readers at the edge of their seats, even long after the book is done. Hale masterfully weaves in important themes like love, courage, and the power of identity, making the novel a rich and complex read.
One of the strengths of Dangerous is its character development. Hale imbues her characters with nuance and complexity, making them feel like real people with believable motivations.
As the story progresses, we see these characters grow, taking on the challenges in front of them. The relationship between Maisie and the other four teenagers, in particular, deepens as they work together to uncover the plot against their planet.
One potential limitation of the novel is its pacing. While the world of Perilous is fascinating and well-crafted, the first half of the novel can feel slow and exposition-heavy at times.
However, once the story picks up momentum, the novel becomes a page-turner, with surprises and twists thatll keep readers engaged till the very end. Overall, Dangerous is an excellent read for fans of science fiction and fantasy, as well as anyone interested in the power of identity and the importance of working together.
The novel is well-written and tightly plotted, making it a great choice for young adult readers who are seeking more sophisticated storytelling. Shannon Hale proves once again that she is a master storyteller.
Rating: 4.5/5
