This graphic read solidly sets fans up for the next volume.
Science and magic, royalty and rabble begin to clash in this dystopian sequel (The Jewel, 2014).
The Duchess of the Lake bought teenage Violet at Auction to serve as a surrogate mother, ushering her into a luxurious life in the Jewel, which occupies the heart of the concentric Lone City. Horrified by rampant exploitation and experimentation, Violet just wanted freedom. Now imprisoned for an indiscretion with the off-limits Ash, male companion to the royal daughters, Violet petitions enigmatic eunuch Lucien for assistance. Aided by a secret society but hunted by the Regimentals, Ash and Violet slowly escape, their passage fraught with danger—and many characters’ back stories. In exchange for her freedom, Violet must become a figurehead for the revolution, rousing rabble, scaring surrogates, and employing the native, elemental magic of the island against the colonialist oppressors. Violet’s path is clearly mapped by Lucien (and the author) and follows the trendy solitary-heroine–vs.–corrupt-rulers trope, but the plentiful action, complex characters, and mix of science and magic help avoid predictability. However, the magical empowerment of the surrogates and stark socioeconomic inequalities do not explain the illogical disposability of surrogates, undermining both the premise and the high stakes. Ewing bravely blends several genres—science fiction, fantasy, medical thriller, dystopian—and semisuccessfully balances teen romance and angst against family drama, rape accusations, prostitution, and slavery.
This graphic read solidly sets fans up for the next volume. (Dystopian romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-223581-7
Page Count: 336
Publisher: HarperTeen
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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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