Mark of the Thief

* The fast-paced, ingenious plot, charismatic hero and highly diverse cast of characters... make this series opener a captivating joy ride. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Vivid... [with] page-turning twists. -- Publishers Weekly

Fast-moving fun with broad audience appeal, especially recommended for reluctant readers, Rick Riordan fans, and pedal-to-the-metal adventure aficionados. -- Kirkus Reviews

The novel's Roman mythology connections... will have great appeal for fans of Rick Riordan. Heavily plot-driven with a movie-script feel. -- Booklist

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 Journal

Praise for A Night Divided:

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. Nielsen (Mark of the Thief) evokes the constant unease of life in a divided Berlin through Gerta's sober narration... but the family never loses sight of the power of humility and forgiveness. -- Publishers Weekly

Nielsen, best known for her fantasy novels, proves she is equally skilled at historical fiction in this solidly structured, balanced account of the origins of an infamous historical landmark... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page. -- School Library Journal

Praise for the Ascendance Trilogy:

A New York Times Notable Children's Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children's Book
A Cybils Award Winner

* An impressive, promising story. -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

[A] pageturner. -- The 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 Book