Star-Touched Queen, The

Seventeen-year-old Maya, a cursed princess in a war-torn kingdom, is destined to marry Death and Destruction, but there is a high price: she will sacrifice her life for peace. When she is suddenly offered a chance to escape death by marrying Amar of Akaran she agrees, begins her life in a new other-worldly kingdom, finds new powers, explores the mystery of her husband, and discovers who she really is. This novel, based on Hindu mythology, is suitable for silent reading or assigned individual reading for grades 8-9, and for small group or class study for senior grades, and deals with themes of love, finding oneself, second chances, empowerment, bonds between sisters, and reincarnation.