Gifted, Paperback

An entitled boy whose talents are bought meets a girl whose gifts are natural in this futuristic thriller from H. A. Swain, the author of Hungry. In Orpheus Chanson's world, geniuses and prodigies are no longer born or honed through hard work. Instead, procedures to induce Acquired Savant Abilities (ASAs) are now purchased by the privileged. And Orpheus's father holds the copyright to the ASA procedure. Zimri Robinson, a natural musical prodigy, is a"plebe"--a worker at the enormous warehouse that supplies an on-line marketplace that has supplanted all commerce. However, her grueling schedule and her grandmother's illness can't keep her from making music--even if it is illegal. Orpheus and Zimri are not supposed to meet. He is meant for greatness; she is not. But sometimes, rules are meant to be broken. Gifted by H. A. Swain is a thriller, love story, and social experiment that readers will find gripping--and terrifying. Praise for Hungry by H. A. Swain: "Swain's near-futuristic dystopia explodes onto this well-trod genre with a fresh idea, tense plotting, and relatable characters.... Fans of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and Lois Lowry's The Giver will flock to this story." --School Library Journal "Compelling... A female protagonist who isn't staunch, heroic, and perfect is increasingly rare in dystopias, so Thalia's fumbling around for the right path is refreshingly different." --The Bulletin "An alluring adventure in a future without food... Emotionally satisfying." --Kirkus Reviews