The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chim

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

426 pages

I was super impressed with this book. It had a mixture of old world wizardry mixed with modern teen interests such as soccer tryouts and soccer. The story blended all aspects smoothly, with a little twist towards the end. Guys and girls both would like this.

(from jacket cover)

Before he knew about the Roses, sixteen-year-old Jack lived an unremarkable life in the small Ohio town of Trinity. Only the medicine he has to take daily and the thick scar above his heart set him apart from the other high schoolers. Then one day Jack skips his medicine. Suddenly, he is stronger, fiercer, and more confident than ever before. And it feels great-until he loses control of his own strength and nearly kills another player during soccer tryouts.

Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: he is Weirlind, part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determine by playing the Game-a tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir.

As if his bizarre heritage weren't enough, Jack finds out that he's not just another member of Weirlind-he's one of the last warriors, at a time when both houses are scouting for a  player.