An over-the-top tale that vacillates between engrossing and tiresome.
Ana sees the girl she once was and the ruler she may become.
In this sequel to Blood Heir (2019), Ana has finally moved past thinking of herself as a monster because of her blood Affinite abilities. This understanding is made easier when she’s faced with the gross horror and cruelty people in power really can inflict. Her motivation now is to find allies in her quest to assume the throne as the Empress of Cyrilia. Her cadre includes Ramson Quicktongue, a con man, and Linn, an imprisoned wind Affinite. As they struggle to reunite, they make wary alliances and face the ghosts of the people they left behind. Though the book maintains an Eastern European–esque setting, as the cast of characters expands and travels, so too does the exploration of diverse countries and cultures. Knowledge of the first book would be useful for full appreciation of this volume, but flashbacks, the map, and the glossary help readers understand most of the plot points and terminology. The author also not-so-subtly repeats details and themes enough to, at times, lose the impact of some reveals. Wringing every emotional moment for all it’s worth, with villains reveling in their villainy and heroes wallowing in their sacrifices, this book levels up the drama and action.
An over-the-top tale that vacillates between engrossing and tiresome. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-525-70783-7
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Don’t look over sea or under stone, this is the fantasy novel for all once and future fans of suspense-filled storytelling.
Sixteen-year-old Black whiz kid Bree Matthews battles grief and demonic forces on her college campus.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree begins a residential program for enterprising teens at her mother’s alma mater and, soon after her arrival, witnesses a magical attack that triggers hidden memories about the evening her mother was killed. Haunted by the fact that their final conversation was an argument, Bree begins a redemptive quest to uncover the connection between her mother’s death and the university’s secret society, the Order of the Round Table, joining their ranks as an initiate and unwittingly stumbling into a centuries-old supernatural war. While competing in the tournament that determines entry to the society, Bree discovers the truth about her heretofore unknown magical abilities, unwinding a complex history that showcases the horrors chattel slavery in the American South perpetuates on the descendants of all involved. Push through clunky expositions and choppy transitions that interrupt the cohesion of the text to discover solid character development that brings forward contemporary, thoughtful engagement with the representation, or lack thereof, of race in canonical Arthurian lore and mythologies. Representation of actualized, strong queer characters is organic, not forced, and so are textual conversations around emotional wellness and intergenerational trauma. Well-crafted allusions to established legends and other literary works are delightful easter eggs.
Don’t look over sea or under stone, this is the fantasy novel for all once and future fans of suspense-filled storytelling. (author's note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5344-4160-6
Page Count: 512
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Mild gothic horror for fans of dark academia.
Tara Boone has escaped her mother and is finally going to college.
She wasn’t able to land a spot in the prestigious Magni Viri program at Corbin College, something that comes with a full-ride scholarship, not to mention invaluable connections. But Tara was able to secure a couple of on-campus jobs to help offset her massive student loans, allowing her to major in English for secondary education through the college’s regular track. A forlorn Tara attends classes, goes to work, and tries to ignore her unfriendly roommate, all while being jealous of the enchanting Magni Viri students she sees around campus. When one of the MV students dies under mysterious circumstances, Tara is offered her spot in the coveted academic society. Maybe now she can finally achieve what she’s always wanted: to be a world-famous writer. For the first time in her life, Tara has close friends and feels like she finally belongs somewhere. Unfortunately, her new friends are harboring a huge and deadly secret. This gothic horror story is an enjoyable though at times predictable read. The drawn-out plot lacks enough twists that could keep readers guessing and instead ambles toward an expected, yet still satisfying, conclusion. Despite the bland narrative, readers will empathize with Tara and root for her success and developing self-esteem. The main character is cued white; there’s racial diversity among the supporting characters.
Mild gothic horror for fans of dark academia. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2023
ISBN: 9780063115965
Page Count: 416
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
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