A young girl’s life changes dramatically when she becomes the apprentice to one of the most famed alchemists of her time.
Jenny Swift, only 14 years old, is taken from her parents and her sheltered upbringing in lush Queerwood to become apprentice to the famed alchemist Richard Antrobus. But when her newfound master is attacked as they embark upon their journey into nearby Vale, Jenny soon realizes that this isn’t just another apprenticeship. Upon her arrival in Vale, the young apprentice is thrust into a world unlike any she’s ever known—a mysterious stranger gives her an antique brass astrolabe, and she is attacked by a vicious stranger and subsequently saved by Rayker, who works for Duke Emeric. She then meets her roommate, the flighty, well-off, yet well-meaning Emily. Jenny, who is already an accomplished healer, soon learns the basics of alchemy in Antrobus’ study nestled deep within the castle. Her first real test comes when she must defend herself against violent outlaws who will stop at nothing to gain the secrets hidden deep within Antrobus’ study. When her master is kidnapped, it is up to Jenny to save him and protect the secrets he’s worked his entire life to collect. What results is a story of deceit, murder and the quest to decipher the secrets of an ancient manuscript that contains the deepest secrets of alchemy. Skinner handles the characters and ensuing plot twists with gusto, yet at times there are so many characters that the reader has to stop for a moment to place them. As the first installment in Skinner’s Earth, Air, Fire and Water series, the book follows suit with the exploding popularity of the young-adult science fiction and fantasy genre, yet the author approaches the genre in an original way, focusing on the principles of early science and historically accurate—yet fictional—settings, characters and plots. A worthy read, perfect for the young adult, fantasy loving set; true devotees will anxiously await the next installment in this original series.
Pub Date: Oct. 30, 2010
ISBN: 978-0955726866
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Sibling Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 4, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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