"This romance-heavy companion to the Razorland trilogy picks up years after the war between humans and Uroch ended. Most of the now-legendary heroes have settled into peaceful lives, but not all: Tegan's lingering shame keeps her from forging close relationships; Millie hates how her acts during the war now define her life; and Morrow's unrequited love for Tegan prevents him from making future plans. Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, follows after Tegan promises to help find a place to build a permanent settlement for his people. Their romance develops with great care, made more fascinating than the typical star-crossed love story by the detail Aguirre puts into the Uroch's nonhuman behavior. "-- Booklist magazine "This fourth volume in the postapocalyptic dystopian series continues Tegan's story. She has completed her apprenticeship as a healer and is eager to take her valued skills on the road. Szorak, the vanguard of the subterranean Uroch people, has booked passage on the same ship as Tegan, hoping to locate a safe new homeland for his kin. Although this installment can stand alone, followers of the series will have an easier entry into the speculative world and will welcome the reintroduction of familiar characters.

Those new to the books will be delighted with the fantasy-style details and sophisticated writing."-- School Library Journal "A companion novel to The Razorland Trilogy, Vanguard can be enjoyed as a standalone and will likely spur new readers to the series seek out the trilogy. Filled with romance and adventure, the text explores cultural connection and conflict, combining a touching story of two couples coming together with a swashbuckling saga and desert island survival story. This mix works remarkably well in Aguirre's hands, as she balances and blends in-depth characters with intriguing post-war politics to create a melding of fantasy and dystopia sure to keep readers interested."--VOYA.