cover image
LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Check out our interview with Rick Yancey, author of the wildly entertaining YA thriller The 5th Wave.
Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



2011 Best Books for Teens: Fantasy, Science Fiction & the Paranormal

Cover art for THE SECRET SISTERHOOD OF HEARTBREAKERS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Dec. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star THE SECRET SISTERHOOD OF HEARTBREAKERS
by Lynn Weingarten
"An exciting and inspirational must-read that begs a sequel. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)"
High-school temptresses wield magic to emancipate a lovelorn girl from her pain in this finely wrought tale. Read full book review >
Cover art for MANGAMAN
CHILDREN'S
Released: Nov. 14, 2011
Kirkus Star MANGAMAN
by Barry Lyga, illustrated by Colleen Doran
"An inventive offering, sure to please fans of both American and Japanese comics. (Graphic fiction. 13 & up)"
A daring piece of graphic-novel meta-fiction explores the tropes of manga versus Western comics. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE SCORPIO RACES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 18, 2011
Kirkus Star THE SCORPIO RACES
by Maggie Stiefvater
"Like nothing else out there now. (Fantasy. 13-18)"
The bestselling author of Shiver (2009) and Linger (2010) turns the legend of the water horse into a taut, chilling, romantic adventure. Read full book review >
Cover art for ASHFALL
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 1, 2011
Kirkus Star ASHFALL
by Mike Mullin
"In this chilling debut, Mullin seamlessly weaves meticulous details about science, geography, agriculture and slaughter into his prose, creating a fully immersive and internally consistent world scarily close to reality. (author's note) (Speculative fiction. 14 & up)"
"The pre-Friday world of school, cell phones, and refrigerators dissolved into this post-Friday world of ash, darkness, and hunger." Read full book review >
Cover art for A MONSTER CALLS
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star A MONSTER CALLS
by Patrick Ness, illustrated by Jim Kay
"A poignant tribute to the life and talent of Siobhan Dowd and an astonishing exploration of fear. (Fiction. 11-14)"
From a premise left by author Siobhan Dowd before her untimely death, Ness has crafted a nuanced tale that draws on elements of classic horror stories to delve into the terrifying terrain of loss. Read full book review >
Cover art for DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
CHILDREN'S
Released: Sept. 27, 2011
Kirkus Star DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE
by Laini Taylor
"Rarely--perhaps not since the author's own Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer (2007)--does a series kick off so deliciously. (Fantasy. 13-16)"
A love thought lost proves anything but when another world's 1,000-year war spills over into this one. Read full book review >