The Warrior Heir

Before he knew about the Roses, 16-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high-schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great--until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer team tryouts.

Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game--a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir.

As if his bizarre magical heritage isn't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind--he's one of the last of the warriors--at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.

Cinda Williams Chima made her debut as a young adult author with The Warrior Heir. Cinda is a graduate of the University of Akron, where she now teaches. A freelance writer, she has published more than 100 reviews, feature articles, and essays in local and national media. Her nutrition column appears regularly in the Taste section of the Plain Dealer. Chima lives in Ohio with her husband and two sons.