An excellent sequel that solves some mysteries and introduces new ones.
The second volume of Gemmill’s (The Demon Conspiracy, 2015) YA fantasy series about demons plotting world domination from their cavern lair.
Chantilly, Virginia, was rocked by bizarre events in the previous installment, which centered on Pandora’s Cave in Crystal Creek Park. After a cave-in, 13-year-old Kelly Bishop; her brothers Jon (age 17) and Travis (age 10); their adoptive father, Chris McCormick; and several teachers barely escaped. Some of the survivors began leading odd new lives: Chris, for example, decided to create a drink called “Majik Juice,” which is sweeping the nation; Jon, meanwhile, now speaks with a British accent and performs astonishing street magic in New York City’s Times Square. Could these transformations have anything to do with the demonic horde that the group found within the cave? Kelly filmed those demons, and Dr. Mark Parrish has agreed to work with the damaged video recorder to restore the footage and prove their existence to the world. Then there’s Will Merritt, who’s been having horrible dreams in which he prepares to assassinate a young girl at a crowded rally. As he questions his sanity, a seemingly telepathic source keeps telling him that “You will save humanity from injustice!” In this sequel, the situation for Gemmill’s characters grows increasingly dire, yet fun remains the focus. Everything is connected, from the Rev. Beth-Ann Foster’s speeches about the world ending within five years to architect Anton Edwards’ superstructures, and readers will enjoy watching Kelly and company wade through sticky, black demon blood to find answers. As in the previous volume, the author stirs in some light science, such as Dr. Carl Merrit’s discovery of the “Fountain of Youth” genes for immortality. There’s also commentary on humanity’s penchant for tolerating malicious prophets, as in the line, “when you went around telling people the world would end...they tended to listen.” In true sequel tradition, Gemmill returns to Pandora’s Cave with something bigger and nastier than demons. A surprise time-travel element and further exploration of the siblings’ talents (such as the aforementioned telepathy) promise to invigorate the next installment.
An excellent sequel that solves some mysteries and introduces new ones.Pub Date: Dec. 29, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-692-52762-7
Page Count: 354
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: March 4, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A thrilling romance that could use more even pacing.
For the second time in her life, Leo must choose between her family and true love.
Nineteen-year-old Princess Leonie Kolburg’s royal family is bankrupt. In order to salvage the fortune they accrued before humans fled the frozen Earth 170 years ago, Leonie’s father is forcing her to participate in the Valg Season, an elaborate set of matchmaking events held to facilitate the marriages of rich and royal teens. Leo grudgingly joins in even though she has other ideas: She’s invented a water filtration system that, if patented, could provide a steady income—that is if Leo’s calculating Aunt Freja, the Captain of the ship hosting the festivities, stops blocking her at every turn. Just as Leo is about to give up hope, her long-lost love, Elliot, suddenly appears onboard three years after Leo’s family forced her to break off their engagement. Donne (Brightly Burning, 2018) returns to space, this time examining the fascinatingly twisted world of the rich and famous. Leo and her peers are nuanced, deeply felt, and diverse in terms of sexuality but not race, which may be a function of the realities of wealth and power. The plot is fast paced although somewhat uneven: Most of the action resolves in the last quarter of the book, which makes the resolutions to drawn-out conflicts feel rushed.
A thrilling romance that could use more even pacing. (Science fiction. 16-adult)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-328-94894-6
Page Count: 400
Publisher: HMH Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
A very full mixed bag.
In the sequel to Furyborn (2018), Rielle and Eliana struggle across time with their powers and prophesied destinies.
Giving readers only brief recaps, this book throws them right into complicated storylines in this large, lovingly detailed fantasy world filled with multiple countries, two different time periods, and hostile angels. Newly ordained Rielle contends with villainous Corien’s interest in her, the weakening gate that holds the angels at bay, and distrust from those who don’t believe her to be the Sun Queen. A thousand years in the future, Eliana chafes under her unwanted destiny and finds her fear of losing herself to her powers (like the Blood Queen) warring with her need to save those close to her. The rigid alternation between time-separated storylines initially feels overstuffed, undermining tension, but once more characters get point-of-view chapters and parallels start paying off, the pace picks up. The multiethnic cast (human versus angelic is the only divide with weight) includes characters of many sexual orientations, and their romantic storylines include love triangles, casual dalliances, steady couples, and couples willing to invite in a third. While many of the physically intimate scenes are loving, some are rougher, including ones that cross lines of clear consent and introduce a level of violence that many young readers will not be ready for. The ending brings heartbreaking twists to prime readers for the trilogy’s conclusion.
A very full mixed bag. (map, list of elements) (Fantasy. 17-adult)Pub Date: May 21, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-5665-4
Page Count: 608
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
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