An action-packed wrap-up with a timely message at its core.
Twin sisters Saunders and Saunders conclude the Rule of One trilogy with a cinematic finale.
Evading the Rule of One, which makes having more than one child a crime, 18-year-old identical twins Ava and Mira Goodwin lived as one person until they were outed by the villainous Roth family, whose scion, Texas governor Howard S. Roth, presided over his surveillance state with brutal focus. The twins’ very existence sparked a rebellion long in the making. Now it’s been 21 days since the fall of the Texas government, and their home city of Dallas—along with the rest of the state—is unofficial Common territory. The Family Planning Center is reuniting families with their second- (and third-, fourth-, etc.) born children instead of cruelly ripping them apart. However, the Common’s biggest prize, Gov. Roth, has eluded capture. Ava and Mira will go to any lengths to find him, but it won’t be easy, and they’ll need each other more than ever to win this most dangerous game. High stakes and alternating narratives between the twins and others keep the pace brisk, and Ava and Mira continue to explore their individuality, and their newfound power, while leading a revolution in a risky bid to affect change for good. The twins are White, and there is diversity among the supporting cast.
An action-packed wrap-up with a timely message at its core. (Science fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5420-0829-7
Page Count: 348
Publisher: Skyscape
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
A thrilling story that’s full of darkness and light.
Now that Ren’s and Sunho’s true identities have been exposed, Ren must find a way to bring Sunho home while assuming a role she never wanted.
Ren is no longer a traveling troupe performer. After her Light powers were revealed and she defeated the general who killed her mother, she had to take her rightful place as the Princess of Sareniya and a celestial maiden. Before she can claim the throne, however, Ren needs to find Sunho, the boy she loves. After recovering a memory that revealed the horrific truth about what happened to him and his brother, Sunho succumbed to the pain and rage, fully transforming into the Demon. Working with her new friends and allies, Ren travels far afield, trying everything to bring Sunho back—not only to Sareniya but to his human self. As Ren delves deeper into the politics of the royal court, she discovers that there’s more to the war with Volmar, the demon experiments, her magic, her ancestors, and the world she knew as a child. She’ll have to summon her courage and wit while learning to embrace her true self in order to rid their world of darkness. This is an exciting, action-packed, and fast-paced duology closer, filled with plot twists and a touch of romance. Detailed worldbuilding provides additional context for the East Asian–influenced setting, and the well-developed characters explore a wide range of emotions and internal struggles.
A thrilling story that’s full of darkness and light. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2025
ISBN: 9781250853110
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2025
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