A bouncy adventure that threatens to darken in later volumes.
This YA fantasy by the author of Captain Silverspoons (2015) features a teenager who’s transported to a magical realm where dark forces gather.
Fifteen-year-old Jason Greaves lives with his Aunt Florence in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In school, he frequently daydreams about fantasy worlds filled with fabulous creatures. On the way home from school one day, he enters an enticing derelict building near Cavehill Forest Park. Inside, he falls through a pit into an elaborate, blue-lit chamber in which he finds a large gem. Handling it causes him to travel to the realm of Haspaira, populated by elves, trolls, wizards, and others. Wandering through the Elderine Forests, he encounters some elves who escort him to their home, Glen Tirel; there he meets Lord Elindril, who tells him there’s no way to send him home. Meanwhile, the wizard Aber Talathin and his teenage granddaughter, Emily, travel to Glen Tirel to discuss the rise of the Dark Lady, a sorceress from outside the realm. Prophecies indicate that a hero will turn back her spreading evil. This noble feat would make the hero beloved throughout the kingdom—which is why Prince Devon Drake insists on tackling the Dark Lady himself. Lawson rests his new YA series upon pillars that will be familiar to fans of the medieval fantasy genre, including a humorous sidekick (Sherbit the imp), a march into treacherous mountain terrain, and an all-powerful Lord of Darkness who remains deep in the background. (Also, Jason’s father is dead, his mother has vanished, and his aunt treats him resentfully.) And yet, when Elindril speaks to Jason “as though he was worthy of attention, as though he mattered,” it adds emotional thrust to Jason’s heroism. Lawson’s prose is geared toward younger readers, but a stronger edit might have helped at times (“Several woman were plotted around the room”). Occasional religious commentary, via an organization called the New Order, lends the narrative a more adult slant.
A bouncy adventure that threatens to darken in later volumes.Pub Date: July 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-5148-5102-9
Page Count: 338
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Oct. 2, 2015
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Engrossing worldbuilding, appealing characters, and a sense of humor make this a winning entry in the Sanderson canon.
A fantasy adventure with a sometimes-biting wit.
Tress is an ordinary girl with no thirst to see the world. Charlie is the son of the local duke, but he likes stories more than fencing. When the duke realizes the two teenagers are falling in love, he takes Charlie away to find a suitable wife—and returns with a different young man as his heir. Charlie, meanwhile, has been captured by the mysterious Sorceress who rules the Midnight Sea, which leaves Tress with no choice but to go rescue him. To do that, she’ll have to get off the barren island she’s forbidden to leave, cross the dangerous Verdant Sea, the even more dangerous Crimson Sea, and the totally deadly Midnight Sea, and somehow defeat the unbeatable Sorceress. The seas on Tress’ world are dangerous because they’re not made of water—they’re made of colorful spores that pour down from the world’s 12 stationary moons. Verdant spores explode into fast-growing vines if they get wet, which means inhaling them can be deadly. Crimson and midnight spores are worse. Ships protected by spore-killing silver sail these seas, and it’s Tress’ quest to find a ship and somehow persuade its crew to carry her to a place no ships want to go, to rescue a person nobody cares about but her. Luckily, Tress is kindhearted, resourceful, and curious—which also makes her an appealing heroine. Along her journey, Tress encounters a talking rat, a crew of reluctant pirates, and plenty of danger. Her story is narrated by an unusual cabin boy with a sharp wit. (About one duke, he says, “He’d apparently been quite heroic during those wars; you could tell because a great number of his troops had died, while he lived.”) The overall effect is not unlike The Princess Bride, which Sanderson cites as an inspiration.
Engrossing worldbuilding, appealing characters, and a sense of humor make this a winning entry in the Sanderson canon.Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781250899651
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Tor
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
