Danger and Other Unknown Risks

North, Ryan and Erica Henderson. Danger and Other Unknown Risks. 2023. 206p. ISBN 9780593224847.

What if the world didn't end with a technological collapse but with magic's sudden and chaotic arrival on January 1st, 2000 instead? Years later, the Earth has been irrevocably changed. Magic is a reality, albeit unpredictable, and while people seem content on the surface, a sense of instability pervades this new world. Marguerite de Pruitt and her loyal and speaking canine companion, Daisy, find themselves at the center of this precarious existence.

Trained from childhood for a momentous task by her uncle Bernard, Marguerite and Daisy are seemingly destined to save the world from descending into deadly chaos. However, their journey is fraught with challenges and unexpected emotional depth. They encounter friends and foes to retrieve the three totems that her uncle Bernard needs to restore the world to what it was back on December 31, 1999. Through it all, Marguerite demonstrates resilience and grit as she overcomes obstacles despite possessing little magic.

Danger and Other Unknown Risks blends laugh-out-loud adventure with poignant moments. It explores themes of truth, chosen family, and rebirth. At its core, the story asks a profound question: What lengths would you and your friends go to to save the world?

Bloom

Oppel, Kenneth. Bloom. Book 1 of the Overthrow series. 2020. 313p. ISBN 9781524773007. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

What if an alien invasion of Earth was done by plants? Petra is allergic to water. She breaks out in hives and is in danger of dying anytime water hits her skin. Imagine being a teenager and not being able to swim, or even to take a shower. Anaya has wicked asthma, and can barely breathe. She's always been sick, or on the verge of being sick. Seth has gone through more foster families than he can remember. In his dreams, he has wings and can fly. It's a persistent dream that never goes away.

All of them live on an island on Canada's west coast when a black rain comes from the sky. That rain strikes everywhere around the globe at the same time. Petra is hit by some of the water as she rushes into the car, but notices that she is not hurt. In fact, the water feels pleasant. Petra bottles some of it, and uses it to take her first bath in forever. Anaya's asthma clears up, and she can now breathe. Life for both girls, who used to be friends, is now looking up.

Except that the next day, strange seeds start to sprout everywhere, rising up as black vine plants that twine around trees and houses. These are difficult to cut, grow insanely quickly, and smell of petroleum when burned, causing toxic fumes. Reports come from around the world that more and more plants are spreading around. The plants bloom, releasing a pollen that is deadly to some people. They also form pods that resemble Venus flytraps, except that they like to consume humans through dissolving them in acid. 

But Anaya, Petra, and Seth appear to be immune to the toxic plants. They can still get grabbed, they can still get hurt, but the pollen does not affect them, nor the plant's digestive acid. Why would three Canadian kids be immune to a plant no one has ever seen before? With time ticking as the plants spread and cause destruction, these three high schoolers must discover a solution to save Earth before it is too late ...

Fans of suspense and of end-of-the-world stories will appreciate this fast-moving tale of destruction and despair as Petra, Seth, and Anaya navigate treacherous high school waters as well as attempting to save the world!