Remnants: Season of Wonder opens years after the world has been ravaged by war and disease. Modern conveniences are a luxury, and, tragically, acknowledgement of the Maker is a crime. It is into this world that a special group of children, called “Ailith,” are born. The Maker gives the Ailith children a special birthmark as well as gifts that will be used to deliver mankind from the oppression that has overtaken them. Each Ailith has a bodyguard, and they spend their whole life training for the day when the Maker will call them to fulfill their duties. Andriana is Ailith, and Remnants is her story. It is the story of her missions with the other Ailith, her relationship with her bodyguard Ronan whom she loves, and her expanding knowledge of her Maker.This dystopian fantasy by Lisa T. Bergren is the first in a trilogy about the Ailith fulfilling a prophecy given long ago by the elders. Bergren is a master storywriter who can not only pack the plot with action, but also create well-developed characters. The characters face trials faced by many teens, including forbidden relationships. Andriana and Ronan were told in the beginning of their training that they were never to love each other as more than siblings, but over time, their feelings for each other have grown. Throughout the book, they develop their special gifts and learn to trust the Maker and follow his guidance. In addition to that, they learn they must also lean on the Maker to check their feelings for each other, though they do not always remember to do so as the temptation to kiss and express their feelings for each other grows. There is one use of mild language. Though the times of this book are bleak, there is hope that the Maker has not forgotten, has a plan, and is working all things together for good.Kristina Wolcott, CLJ
