In Provencher’s Capstone, the last installment in the Young Adult, paranormal fantasy, Cornerstone series, the self-seeking, destructive “Fury” have taken over the world.
Teenager Nalena Maxwell won’t lie – being asked to save the world is not only daunting, it seems particularly risky for a girl formerly nicknamed “The Waste.” Worse, when Nalena and her gang return from a mission into the Fury’s home base, they find that the Fury’s leader is actually one of their own, and that he has taken over the Ianua stronghold. What he hasn’t counted on is Nalena’s resourcefulness, her commitment, and the bravery that lies beneath the self-doubt of a girl who was, until a short time ago, just a normal, awkward teenager. With a wholly believable voice that captures the attitudes and concerns of today’s teens as well as the inner turmoil of a newbie-warrior, Nalena leads us through narrow tunnels, up and down a mountainside, and across enemy lines in an attempt to stop the world’s imminent demise. Despite her apparent bravery, Nalena is plagued with wondering, Am I good enough? Not only good enough to reset the world’s core – in other words to give the human race a chance to start over -- but also good enough for the simple, teenaged things in life, such as holding on to her handsome, citrusy-smelling, very kissable boyfriend, Garrett Reese. Provencher deftly weaves together a fully developed alternative world and mythology with the real-world, modern trials of a contemporary teenager who is as concerned with her boyfriend seeing her naked for the first time as she is that they are to be naked in an Ianua jail cell. If Capstone is lacking, it is in backstory. For those who have not read Provencher’s earlier books in the Cornerstone series, readers may be somewhat confused, however, Provencher provides a glossary of terms at the beginning of Capstone, which helps. (And anyway, you should read the other books in the series -- they're all great!)
Capstone is full of suspense and adventure, woven with elements of romance, coming-of-age, and spiritual wisdom that will thrill and engage both teenaged and adult readers.