Books with author M.A. Powers

Life in the frozen wastelands of Texas is unforgiving.It's been seven years since the ash billowed into the atmosphere, triggering some of the harshest winters mankind has ever faced. Populations are dwindling. Food is scarce. Despair, overwhelming.Clay and his sister Megan have taken a handful of orphaned children into their home--a home soaring sixteen stories into the sky. With roughly six short months a year to gather enough food and supplies to last the long, brutal winter, Clay spends much of his time away from his family to scavenge, hunt, and barter.But when Clay disrupts the grisly execution of a young woman by a group of Screamers, his life is catapulted into a new direction, forcing him to make choices he never thought he would have to make.Now, with winter rolling in earlier than ever, Clay's divided attention is putting him, and his family, at risk.

Life in the frozen wastelands of Texas is unforgivingIt's been seven years since the ash billowed into the atmosphere, triggering some of the harshest winters mankind has ever faced. Populations are dwindling. Food is scarce. Despair, overwhelming.Clay and his sister Megan have taken a handful of orphaned children into their home--a home soaring sixteen stories into the sky. With roughly six short months a year to gather enough food and supplies to last the long, brutal winter, Clay spends much of his time away from his family to scavenge, hunt, and barter.But when Clay disrupts the grisly execution of a young woman by a group of Screamers, his life is catapulted into a new direction, forcing him to make choices he never thought he would have to make.Now, with winter rolling in earlier than ever, Clay's divided attention is putting him, and his family, at risk.

Winner of the Writers' League of Texas's Discovery Prize for Middle Grade/Young Adult!"The Powerses' worldbuilding and writing will keep [readers] hooked. They will find themselves questioning what is fact and what is fiction and cheering Adam on as he journeys in this new, strange world. A gripping, philosophical paranormal thriller."--Kirkus Reviews"In this intriguing tale of life and death (literally, there are soul guides and a grim reaper), siblings J. L. and M. A. Powers explore the intersections of fear and power in relation to limbo, as Adam and his newfound friends try to become everything they are supposed to be...[This] will keep readers on the edge of their seats, wanting more--which is good, considering this is the first of a series."--Booklist"Fans of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare will enjoy this series starters."--School Library Journal"This novel was well constructed and rich in detail. The characters are well rounded and realistic...I enjoyed this novel very much and am excited for the next book in the series. I would recommend this novel to fans of Reaper fiction and any fantasy."--Life My Way (blog)"A very entertaining read."--Read Explore Repeat (blog)"If paranormal is your thing...give this one a try."--Reading Through Life"You won't want to put this one down: it's Hogwarts for soul guides, with family rivalries and developing powers aplenty. The writing flows and the characters have a rich depth to them, even with their own secrets that we may or may not find out before this volume ends. Thank goodness it's the first in a series; I have more to look forward to and so will you. Give this to your Gaiman fans, for sure; hand it to your Potterheads that are ready to meet a new group of friends. Give it to your readers that enjoy seeing life from a different point of view."--Mom Read It"Broken Circle is perfect for anyone who has ever been intrigued by figures of death (like the Grim Reaper, or the Underworld), enjoys YA fiction, and also likes boarding school settings."--Utopia State of Mind (blog)"Broken Circle's exacting mix of myth, science and the paranormal discloses that the whole world's destiny is at stake if powers and abilities like Adam's fall into the wrong, crepuscular hands. The Powerses have placed a sympathetic kid and his crew bravely in the midst of some very big questions (it's OK to think Harry Potter). What happens gives a different spin to everything on Earth and whatever may come after."--The Center for Fiction/Junior Edition columnAdam wants nothing more than to be a "normal" teen, but his reality is quickly leaking normal. Afraid to sleep because of the monster that stalks his dreams, Adam's breakdown at school in front of his crush Sarah lands him in the hospital.As he struggles to cope with his day-to-day life, Adam can only vaguely comprehend some sort of future. His mother died when he was only four and his eccentric father--who might be an assassin, a voodoo god, the reincarnation of the Buddha, or something even stranger--is never available when Adam really needs him. Even his paranoid grandfather, who insists that people are "out to kill the entire family," is no help.Adam's life takes an even weirder turn when a fat man with a gold tooth and a medallion confronts his father regarding Adam's supposed "True Destiny." Adam is soon headed toward a collision with life, death, and the entities charged with shepherding souls of the newly dead, all competing to control lucrative territories where some nightmares are real and psychopomps of ancient legends walk the streets of North America.

Winner of the Writers' League of Texas's Discovery Prize for Middle Grade/Young Adult!"The Powerses' worldbuilding and writing will keep [readers] hooked. They will find themselves questioning what is fact and what is fiction and cheering Adam on as he journeys in this new, strange world. A gripping, philosophical paranormal thriller."--Kirkus Reviews"In this intriguing tale of life and death (literally, there are soul guides and a grim reaper), siblings J. L. and M. A. Powers explore the intersections of fear and power in relation to limbo, as Adam and his newfound friends try to become everything they are supposed to be...[This] will keep readers on the edge of their seats, wanting more--which is good, considering this is the first of a series."--Booklist"Fans of Holly Black and Cassandra Clare will enjoy this series starters."--School Library Journal"This novel was well constructed and rich in detail. The characters are well rounded and realistic...I enjoyed this novel very much and am excited for the next book in the series. I would recommend this novel to fans of Reaper fiction and any fantasy."--Life My Way (blog)"A very entertaining read."--Read Explore Repeat (blog)"If paranormal is your thing...give this one a try."--Reading Through Life"You won't want to put this one down: it's Hogwarts for soul guides, with family rivalries and developing powers aplenty. The writing flows and the characters have a rich depth to them, even with their own secrets that we may or may not find out before this volume ends. Thank goodness it's the first in a series; I have more to look forward to and so will you. Give this to your Gaiman fans, for sure; hand it to your Potterheads that are ready to meet a new group of friends. Give it to your readers that enjoy seeing life from a different point of view."--Mom Read It"Broken Circle is perfect for anyone who has ever been intrigued by figures of death (like the Grim Reaper, or the Underworld), enjoys YA fiction, and also likes boarding school settings."--Utopia State of Mind (blog)"Broken Circle's exacting mix of myth, science and the paranormal discloses that the whole world's destiny is at stake if powers and abilities like Adam's fall into the wrong, crepuscular hands. The Powerses have placed a sympathetic kid and his crew bravely in the midst of some very big questions (it's OK to think Harry Potter). What happens gives a different spin to everything on Earth and whatever may come after."--The Center for Fiction/Junior Edition columnAdam wants nothing more than to be a "normal" teen, but his reality is quickly leaking normal. Afraid to sleep because of the monster that stalks his dreams, Adam's breakdown at school in front of his crush Sarah lands him in the hospital.As he struggles to cope with his day-to-day life, Adam can only vaguely comprehend some sort of future. His mother died when he was only four and his eccentric father--who might be an assassin, a voodoo god, the reincarnation of the Buddha, or something even stranger--is never available when Adam really needs him. Even his paranoid grandfather, who insists that people are "out to kill the entire family," is no help.Adam's life takes an even weirder turn when a fat man with a gold tooth and a medallion confronts his father regarding Adam's supposed "True Destiny." Adam is soon headed toward a collision with life, death, and the entities charged with shepherding souls of the newly dead, all competing to control lucrative territories where some nightmares are real and psychopomps of ancient legends walk the streets of North America.

This well illustrated story is the first in the 'Guido' series, in which Guido is removed from the Temple of Gargoyles and taken to the high towers of Snodgrass Hall. It is here that the Gargoyle makes an incredible discovery that will change his life forever. This mysterious revelation is followed by a dramatic series of events in which Guido and his friend, Leonardo the Raven, embark upon an exciting journey of adventure.

Guido's simple existence in the Temple of Gargoyles ends forever when he is taken to live among the high towers of Snodgrass Hall.It is here, with the guidance of his friend, Leonardo the Raven, that Guido makes an incredible discovery that changes his life forever.This mysterious revelation is followed by a dramatic upheaval at Snodgrass Hall which is the beginning of an exciting journey of adventure.