The Last Alignment: Cry of the Scorpions by Nathaniel Stewart

An unlikely group of teenagers discover powers beyond their imagination, and are plunged into a battle for the fate of the world in The Last Alignment: Cry of the Scorpions by Nathaniel Stewart, the first book of what promises to be an exciting series. A slow-burning adventure heavily reliant on its diverse characters, this short novel feels like a careful setup for a long-game thrill, exploring intertwined histories, dangerous family legacies, and the tension that only raging hormones can provide. The dialogue is snappy and believable, but the narration is less lively and sometimes overly procedural. As a whole, despite the need for more linguistic flair, this is a strong first installment of a unique YA series.