Blood Guard #2: , The Glass Gauntlet by Carter Roy

Ronan and his friends head to the hills, literally, to learn the skills of the Blood Guard, protectors of the Pure. Thirty-six purely good people exist on Earth, and their existence balances the evil in the world. Greta, one of Ronan's friends, is unaware that she's actually a Pure, and matters are complicated as Ronan's father is the leader of Bend Sinister, the evil group trying to kill the Pures. The kids travel to a home pretending to be part of an intelligence contest, but they're actually searching for a special invention. It can suck the souls out of Pures, but it may also be able to return the soul of a Pure attacked in the first book. The mission seems simple enough until their cover is blown. Bend Sinister is on the way.

I don't think you need to read the first book to enjoy The Glass Gauntlet, but it will help to understand how everything started. This book reads more like an adventure, although Dawkins, one of the Blood Guard, is able to cut off his own hand without dying. I enjoy the caring and teamwork shown by the characters, and their ability to work together gets them through the challenges. The fact that Greta's death could disrupt the balance of life throughout the whole world adds to the suspense. The author mixes action and humor throughout the plot, and a new character will change sides in the conflict.