The Broken Lands

Set in Brooklyn in 1877, this prequel to The Boneshakercenters around opening of the Brooklyn Bridge and the drifter Jack's attempt to take advantage of the festivities in order to claim the island of Manhattan as his own personal hell. Teenagers Sam and Jin, orphans whose special skills include hustling cards and detonating fireworks, are the only ones who can stop Jack's evil minions from performing a ritual (at the center of the great crossroads formed by the bridge and the East River) that will allow them to take over the city. The Broken Landsis a richly textured, extensively researched historical fantasy that explores themes of friendship, courage, and standing up to evil in a fast-paced and highly original way.