Elder Ascending

Alex Scott is Running Out of Time

Alex has always tried to hide how different she is. She's faster, stronger, and has sharper senses than anyone else she knows. But when a giant black stray dog turns out to be a shape-shifting, seven-foot-tall bodyguard, Alex learns the truth: she's not just an ordinary adopted kid. She's a princess of the Elders, a magical race of immortals living secretly among humans.

Suddenly, Alex's summer is completely upended by magic, underground sword-fighting lessons, and an ancient, terrifying enemy named Malachon who wants her dead. But being an immortal princess comes with a deadline. If Alex doesn't find her birth mother's missing crown before her thirteenth birthday, her special powers will fade away.

With her birthday just weeks away, Alex must race to uncover clues hidden deep within dangerous ruins and high-security museums. Between battling enchanted suits of armor, dodging giant scorpions, and desperately lying to her best friend to keep her safe, Alex's life is officially out of control. Can she claim her birthright in time, or will she lose her magic-and her life?

Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson, Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the Lost Cities, and fast-paced magical adventures!