Books with title The Scorpion Shards

Six teens struggle to discover the source of their strange and horrific abilities in this first book of The Star Shards Chronicles.Dillon has the terrifying power to create massive amounts of destruction with the slightest tweak of his will. Deanna is so consumed by fear, it has become like a black hole, drawing to her the very things that terrify her. Then, when the glare of a supernova sixteen light-years away illuminates the night sky, they have a vision: There are six of them out there, all teenagers, and all suffering from supernatural afflictions that disfigure their bodies and souls. Only by finding one another will the six ever be strong enough to defeat these mysterious forces that, bit by bit, are devouring their souls from the inside out. Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman “combines personal quest, horror, and science fiction into an absorbing exploration of good and evil, guilt, forgiveness and personal responsibility” (VOYA) in this thrilling start to a riveting trilogy. Originally published by Tor Fantasy in 1995.

Six teens struggle to discover the source of their strange and horrific abilities in this first book of The Star Shards Chronicles.Dillon has the terrifying power to create massive amounts of destruction with the slightest tweak of his will. Deanna is so consumed by fear, it has become like a black hole, drawing to her the very things that terrify her. Then, when the glare of a supernova sixteen light-years away illuminates the night sky, they have a vision: There are six of them out there, all teenagers, and all suffering from supernatural afflictions that disfigure their bodies and souls. Only by finding one another will the six ever be strong enough to defeat these mysterious forces that, bit by bit, are devouring their souls from the inside out. Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman “combines personal quest, horror, and science fiction into an absorbing exploration of good and evil, guilt, forgiveness and personal responsibility” (VOYA) in this thrilling start to a riveting trilogy. Originally published by Tor Fantasy in 1995.

Six outcasts from around the country find themselves drawn together by a mysterious force. A few of them, like Lourde, suffer from horribly disfiguring physical torments that literally threaten to consume them Others, like Dillon must battle inner demons that can erupt at any minute with terrifying consequences. Are they genetic freaks? Or monsters whose evil potential could destroy the world? The answer may lie in a star system billions of light-years away.

Six teens struggle to discover the source of their strange and horrific abilities in this first book of The Star Shards Chronicles.Dillon has the terrifying power to create massive amounts of destruction with the slightest tweak of his will. Deanna is so consumed by fear, it has become like a black hole, drawing to her the very things that terrify her. Then, when the glare of a supernova sixteen light-years away illuminates the night sky, they have a vision: There are six of them out there, all teenagers, and all suffering from supernatural afflictions that disfigure their bodies and souls. Only by finding one another will the six ever be strong enough to defeat these mysterious forces that, bit by bit, are devouring their souls from the inside out. Acclaimed author Neal Shusterman “combines personal quest, horror, and science fiction into an absorbing exploration of good and evil, guilt, forgiveness and personal responsibility” (VOYA) in this thrilling start to a riveting trilogy. Originally published by Tor Fantasy in 1995.

While on a late 1930’s research venture in Mexico, a University of Minnesota anthropologist experiences a serendipitous encounter with a youth from a secretive indigenous clan. The youth, who has become disaffected with his people, shares with Dr. Comstock a secret of his people and introduces him to the red scorpions that for centuries have been guarding the final resting place of the legendary Quetzlcoatl. So begins the tale of The Red Scorpion, rooted in Aztec legend, transported into a modern world where the conflict between good and evil is but a coffee table discussion with no serious aim other than to entertain. Dr. Comstock is elated when he brings home one of these unique specimens from the surrounding hills of Tepotzlan. But his satisfaction is short lived as there are consequences when pride and the unknown collide. The Eagle’s Nest bed-and-breakfast becomes a final resting place for at least one guest, and ultimately the palatial house is abandoned, the only thing remaining being Dr. Comstock’s journal… and a red scorpion, awaiting its next prey. Boys will be boys and when the abandoned house gets labeled a haunted house in the Internet age, at least one youth is thrilled by the idea of exploring it. Dusty Greene hasn’t learned yet that there are some things we really should be afraid of.

Grade 6-9-Six 15-year-olds have struggled alone with gross exaggerations of common adolescent problems?from acne to obesity to raging hormones?until the night a supernova appears in the sky and draws them together. They begin to understand something about their amazing origins and, with the help of equal parts of astronomy, biology, and the tarot, decide to fight the parasitic monsters that have been consuming them. However, two of the teens give in to their monsters and avoid the Others in order to increase their own power. The climax comes in a confrontation between the foursome and the pair in a battle waged in this world and out of it for their own lives and souls as well as the fate of the Earth. This is a complex and convoluted story that fits more into the genres of fantasy and horror than science fiction. In the first third, the characters are introduced at length as the repulsive and dangerous young people they appear to be. While their initial escapades are unpleasant, readers suffering from similar afflictions may empathize with this group of misfits. Some readers may be shocked by the discussions of Michael's sexual tension, although the language used is circumspect throughout. Others may be offended by the fact that Winston, who is black, is the only character to speak in dialect. Once the foursome unite and begin to fight back, the pace picks up, the teens become more likable, and the novel becomes compelling and absorbing. The post-battle denouement finally allows stellar qualities to begin to shine, destruction to turn to repair, and readers to wish for a sequel to tell more about these interesting and unusual characters.