Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Children's and Teen: Middle School


Cover art for PRINCESS OF THE WILD SWANS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 31, 2012

"A pleasant magical outing. (Fairy tale/fantasy. 8-12)"
In her third fairy-tale novelization, Zahler (The Thirteenth Princess, 2010, and A True Princess, 2011) dips into Hans Christian Andersen's "The Wild Swans" and mixes in a bit of Celtic folklore. Read full book review >
Cover art for HAVOC
CHILDREN'S
Released: Jan. 24, 2012

"Plenty of thrilling action, clearly with more to come. (Paranormal thriller. 12 & up)"
The second exciting installment in the continuing saga of a dorky daytime girl who morphs into a savvy, hot chick and/or werewolf at night. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE INVISIBLE TOWER
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 27, 2011

"Gives new life to Arthurian legends and may just send readers back to more traditional tellings. (Adventure. 10-14)"
In his first novel for middle-grade readers, Johnson-Shelton serves up the first installment of an Arthurian trilogy starring 12-year-old video-gamer Artie Kingfisher. Read full book review >
Cover art for SLAYERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 22, 2011

"Frustratingly ridiculous and sometimes sloppy, but also enjoyably campy--redeemingly so. (Fantasy. 12-17)"
A rich socialite discovers her dragon-slaying heritage in an urban fantasy written under a pseudonym. Read full book review >
Cover art for INHERITANCE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 8, 2011

"Despite the long, anticlimactic wind-down, it is a strong conclusion to the crowd-pleasing series. (maps, multilingual word list) (Heroic fantasy. 12-15)"
Capping the former Inheritance Trilogy, this fourth epic-length episode brings teenage Dragon Rider Eragon at last to a decisive faceoff with his greatest enemy. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE TWILIGHT CIRCUS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 1, 2011
by Di Toft

"Definitely a continuation rather than a freestanding episode, but the author keeps her ongoing plot galloping along and adds an assortment of marvelous new creatures to the cast. (Fantasy.10-13) "
An old foe sets a deadly trap for two young werewolves in a sequel framed by family reunions and positively festooned with hideous vampires. Read full book review >