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. 25, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
Did you like this book?
Someone is murdering high school students. Most freeze in fear, but a brave few try to stop the killings.
Senior Makani Young has been living in corn-obsessed Nebraska for just a little over a year. She has developed a crush and made some friends, but a dark secret keeps her from truly opening up to those around her. As the only half–African-American and half–Native Hawaiian student in her school, she already stands out, but as the killing spree continues, the press descends, and rumors fly, Makani is increasingly nervous that her past will be exposed. However, the charming and incredibly shy Ollie, a white boy with hot-pink hair, a lip ring, and wanderlust, provides an excellent distraction from the horror and fear. Graphic violence and bloody mayhem saturate this high-speed slasher story. And while Makani’s secret and the killer’s hidden identity might keep the pages turning, this is less a psychological thriller and more a study in gore. The intimacy and precision of the killer’s machinations hint at some grand psychological reveal, but lacking even basic jump-scares, this tale is high in yuck and low in fright. The tendency of the characters toward preachy inner monologues feels false.
Bloody? Yes. Scary? No. (Horror. 14-16)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-525-42601-1
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An emotionally engaging closer that fumbles in its final moments.
41
GET IT
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 29, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2017
Did you like this book?
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
© Copyright 2021 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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.
