Attractively executed; will please newcomers, but ardent fans may be less satisfied with some of the artistic choices.
A newly illustrated addition marking the 20th anniversary of the wildly popular fantasy series opener.
When unassuming farm boy Eragon finds a strange blue stone while out hunting, the last thing he expects is for a dragon to hatch from it. Eragon is now one of the fabled dragon Riders, whose ancient order was destroyed from within by King Galbatorix. Eragon is content to live his days quietly with Saphira, his dragon, but Galbatorix will not suffer the existence of a Rider who’s beyond his control. When tragedy strikes at the hands of Galbatorix’s agents, Eragon embarks on a journey of revenge and self-discovery across Alagaësia. This new edition features stunning artwork that excels at capturing the personalities and bringing to life the textual descriptions of the human characters. Eragon looks every inch the youthful and naïve hero, Brom has a truly magnificent beard, and Arya is beautiful and defiant. But the art fails to convey the true size and majesty of Saphira as well as original cover artist John Jude Palencar’s work did; at times it makes her appear diminutive, in contrast to descriptions in the text. Long-time fans will also likely be disappointed by the limited number of illustrations featuring beloved character Murtagh. The full-color map of Alagaësia, however, is superlative.
Attractively executed; will please newcomers, but ardent fans may be less satisfied with some of the artistic choices. (map, pronunciation guide, glossary) (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9780593704462
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
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