The Rules for Hearts (sequel to Empress of the World)

The Rules for Hearts is the second book by Sara Ryan featuring Battle Hall Davies. The first was Empress of the World, where Battle met Nicola at summer camp.

It is now one year later and Battle is moving to Portland, Oregon. She will attend Reed in the fall but is moving early to reunite with her brother, Nick. She hasn't seen him for almost five years, since he left home.

Battle will soon find out that Nick is not necessarily the kind of person she wants her brother to be. In the mean time, she will live in Forest House - a group house where her brother lives - and join the play that everyone in the house is participating in.

Ryan, Sara. (2007). The Rules for Hearts. New York: Viking.

Empress of the World

You (my one reader) may notice that I am starting a YA Lesbian Fiction trend. I am. As a member of the listserv for Young Adult Librarians, I gathered a list of titles – about 90 books – my summer reading list. I also have a list of YA fantasy books that I will be working on.

Empress of the World has a similar theme to The Bermudez Triangle – summer camp for smart kids. This one is about Nicola “Nic” who goes to the Siegal Institute Summer Program for Gifted Youth to study archaeology.

On the first day Nic meets Katrina – the computer chick, Issac – the nice guy and Battle – the beautiful blonde dancer. They become fast friends. Nic has had theater friends and orchestra friends, but for the first time she feels like she has friend friends. And soon she realizes she is falling in love with one of her new friends – Battle.

She knew she was attracted to other girls, but she has never acted on her feelings. Does Battle even feel the same?

Ryan, Sara. (2001). Empress of the World. New York: Viking.