Scorpion Rules, The

Earth is under the control of Talis, an artificial intelligence, who maintains peace by taking a child from each world leader as a hostage and killing the hostage if a country dares to declare war. Greta has lived as a hostage for much of her life and has accepted her fate and the system, but when Elian, a new hostage, arrives he will not comply, Talis’ power is challenged, and Greta questions this way of life. This dystopian novel for secondary students is easy-to-read with a straightforward plot, and deals with issues of immortality and artificial intelligence. Suited for individual, lit circle, and whole class study. Social considerations noted.