A coming-of-age story complicated by regicide, superhuman powers, the duty to protect a kingdom and one hot surfer.
Despite Rissa Marin’s prowess at field hockey, her body aches for the sea—but once in the water, things get complicated. Rissa is no ordinary 16-year-old. Although she appears human, Rissa is actually Aquarathi, an alien race of sea creatures with superhuman powers that intensify in water. As heir to the throne of the deep-sea Aquarathi kingdom of Waterfell, Rissa has been sent on land to intermingle with humans in preparation for her role as queen. While she is there, Rissa’s father is murdered, making her fearful to return to Waterfell to face her father’s killer and rightfully claim her throne. Despite her sense of duty, Rissa’s fear paralyzes her, and she grows content in her human guise—so much so that she unexpectedly finds herself falling for the new, attractive surfer, Lo, who mysteriously arrives at her school. Although the tale starts off slowly, thoroughly introducing Rissa and her fantastical race, it pays off; as it quickly picks up the pace, Rissa and her painful dilemma both compel. Just the first installment in a series, this text nevertheless delivers a complete story arc while leaving enough loose ends to make the next installments tempting.
A fantastical surf-and-turf romance. (Paranormal romance. 14-17)Pub Date: Oct. 29, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-373-21105-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Review Posted Online: Sept. 24, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
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A transgender boy starting over at a new school falls hard for a popular cheerleader with a reputation to protect in this debut.
On the first day of senior year, transgender boy Pony locks eyes with cisgender cheerleader Georgia. They both have pasts they want to leave behind. No one at Hillcrest High knows that Pony is transgender, and he intends to keep it that way. Georgia’s last boyfriend shook her trust in boys, and now she’s determined to forget him. As mutual attraction draws them together, Pony and Georgia must decide what they are willing to risk for a relationship. Pony’s best friend, Max, who is also transgender, disapproves of Pony’s choice to live stealth; this disagreement leads to serious conflict in their relationship. Meanwhile, Georgia and Pony behave as if Pony’s trans identity was a secret he was lying to her about rather than private information for him to share of his own volition. The characters only arrive at a hopeful resolution after Pony pays high physical and emotional prices. McSmith places repeated emphasis on the born-in-the-wrong-body narrative when the characters discuss trans identities. Whiteness is situated as the norm, and all main characters are white.
Several yards short of a touchdown. (Fiction. 14-17)Pub Date: May 26, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-06-294317-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
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An emotionally engaging closer that fumbles in its final moments.
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Lara Jean prepares for college and a wedding.
Korean-American Lara Jean is finally settled into a nice, complication-free relationship with her white boyfriend, Peter. But things don’t stay simple for long. When college acceptance letters roll in, Peter and Lara Jean discover they’re heading in different directions. As the two discuss the long-distance thing, Lara Jean’s widower father is making a major commitment: marrying the neighbor lady he’s been dating. The whirlwind of a wedding, college visits, prom, and the last few months of senior year provides an excellent backdrop for this final book about Lara Jean. The characters ping from event to event with emotions always at the forefront. Han further develops her cast, pushing them to new maturity and leaving few stones unturned. There’s only one problem here, and it’s what’s always held this series back from true greatness: Peter. Despite Han’s best efforts to flesh out Peter with abandonment issues and a crummy dad, he remains little more than a handsome jock. Frankly, Lara Jean and Peter may have cute teen chemistry, but Han's nuanced characterizations have often helped to subvert typical teen love-story tropes. This knowing subversion is frustratingly absent from the novel's denouement.
An emotionally engaging closer that fumbles in its final moments. (Romance. 14-17)Pub Date: May 2, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4814-3048-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2017
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