Sure to resonate in today’s volatile climate.
Gotham City was once a progressive, egalitarian metropolis safeguarded by powerful superheroes.
Then came the Silencing, a violent coup targeting any possible resistance. Now, all Gotham cowers beneath the shadow of the autocratic Court of Owls—all except Dinah Lance, whose fury at the oppressive regime is matched only by her desire to sing, although music is forbidden to women. In a narratively predictable but vindictively welcome twist, Dinah, following in the footsteps of her deceased mother (the original Black Canary), discovers that she’s immune to the effects of the Silencing: Her music and voice can become deadly weapons. And to make matters yet more disconcerting, new boy–cum–Court darling Oliver Queen seems just a bit too interested in Dinah—and her burgeoning powers. After a series of increasingly rebellious acts, Dinah quickly becomes Public Enemy No. 1. When her best friend is captured in her stead, Dinah must assume the Canary mantle. The story proceeds at a cinematic clip while still allowing for quieter moments of character development or vivid scenic description. The intermingling of old and new DC heroes is artful; Dinah is a powerful protagonist, vibrating with a youthful rage and energy familiar to readers itching for revolution of any kind. Monir never shies away from her tale’s unfortunately pertinent sociopolitical implications, putting a refreshing spin on the feminist dystopia. Main characters are presumed White; supporting characters are diverse.
Sure to resonate in today’s volatile climate. (Superhero fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Dec. 29, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-17831-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2020
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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