Chasing the Valley (2013) by Skye Melki-Wegner is a dystopian, fantasy, and steampunk novel set in the kingdom of Taladia, ruled by the tyrannical King Morrigan. The story follows sixteen-year-old Danika Glynn, a scruffer (orphan) who is forced to fight for survival in a world where the king uses alchemical bombs and advanced technology to control the populace. After her family is killed by one of these bombs, Danika joins a group of teen rebels who are seeking to escape to the Magnetic Valley, a mythical land immune to the king's power. Along the way, Danika discovers her magical proclivity for shadow magic, which becomes essential to the group's survival as they evade the king’s deadly forces and seek freedom. The novel combines elements of magic, rebellion, and survival as Danika learns to harness her powers and face new dangers, while building complex relationships with her fellow rebels.
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