This meticulously crafted YA journey will challenge readers’ expectations until the last page.
A human teenager finds herself on a series of alien worlds in this YA adventure.
A 16-year-old girl is trapped in a sandy oasis. There are no people or animals, and she has no memories of how she arrived or of anything else about herself. She does, however, remember a “blue glow coming through a swirling vortex” and sinister whispers. When she tries to explore her surroundings, a strange voice says, “Let us guide you,” but she can’t seem to escape the oasis. She then finds Sidaire, a younger girl who has glowing, emberlike hair and doesn’t seem quite human. Sidaire warns her about a place called the Hollow and about a threatening monster. When the teen dives into a spring in an attempt to escape said creature, she enters a series of underwater caves. She emerges in a new world of forests and mountains. A friendly humanoid named Maetha rescues her from danger, names her Ambrielle, and explains they’re in Anatharia. With no clear way back to Earth, Ambrielle tries to live among Maetha's people, the Kavekkians. They’re a wary group and warn her not to engage with their enemies, the Darterrans. This proves impossible when Ambrielle spies a human among the latter. Cox’s YA novel lives up to its title, keeping the protagonist in a consistent state of bafflement over new developments. He also provides occasionally striking visuals, such as a description of Maetha, who has a light-gray, oblong face and “rust-colored eyes.” Ambrielle encounters more familiar things, as well, including prejudice from the Kavekkians and petty tribalism among the Darterrans. The worldbuilding branches out in surprising ways when the setting moves to the technologically marvelous world of Elyravess. As Ambrielle remembers more details from her previous life, such as her falling-out with her friend Hannah, a fuller emotional journey evolves. Ambrielle also pursues a well-earned romance with Gavian, a teen living with the Darterrans. A superb final moment ensures that fans will return for the sequel.
This meticulously crafted YA journey will challenge readers’ expectations until the last page.Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-578-94488-3
Page Count: 292
Publisher: Silvettica
Review Posted Online: Jan. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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