An intense, cathartic, bittersweet tale.
Wendy Darling discovers there may be more to her brothers’ disappearance than meets the eye.
On her 18th birthday, a spate of child disappearances in quiet, rural Astoria, Oregon, brings back memories of her and her brothers’ disappearances five years prior. Only Wendy came back—found in the woods by a park ranger, clutching an acorn, and with large gaps in her memory. Complicating matters even further, a strange boy calling himself Peter Pan arrives, asking Wendy to help him track down his shadow before more kids go missing. Convinced that she may be able to find out what happened to John and Michael, Wendy agrees. Pressures mount on all sides as Wendy and Peter embark on a race against the clock. Wendy has an anxiety disorder, signs of survivor’s guilt, and a compulsive hand-washing habit; the narrative treats her sympathetically, and her mental health issues are clearly linked to her past. This spin on a well-known story focuses on childhood trauma, growing up, loss, and letting go. Peter Pan’s shadow serves as an oppressive force throughout, evoking terror in both Wendy and, likely, many readers at the mention of darkness or nighttime, and some scenes, especially those regarding the missing children, are quite intense. Most characters are White by default; Wendy’s best friend is cued as Latinx.
An intense, cathartic, bittersweet tale. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: March 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-31397-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Swoon Reads/Macmillan
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
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