Thirteen solid stories from an all-star lineup.
Established YA author Lyga edits this collection of stories about superpowered teens.
In “Love To Hate” by Lamar Giles, superstar basketball player Ty’s ability to slow down time comes in handy when someone brings a gun to a game. Leonard uses his newfound skill—telekinesis—to combat injustice against Indigenous folks in his town in “Ordinary Kid” by Joseph Bruchac. Nessa and Casey in Sterling Gates’ “The Night I Caught a Bullet” receive an unusual inheritance from their late father: mysterious silver bracelets. And a group of cheerleaders has a secret that Cece’s made it her mission to find out in “Fly, Lions, Fly” by Morgan Baden. These are among the short stories in this anthology that includes works by well-known authors such as Axie Oh, Danielle Paige, Anna-Marie McLemore, and Lyga himself. Varian Johnson’s “The Knight’s Gambit” is particularly powerful: Following the son of a celebrated superhero who unearths his familial legacy, it underlines how trauma can shape a person’s trajectory. Sarah MacLean’s “Fire That Lasts” provides a standout setting—a world where strong emotions are illegal, starring a protagonist who falls in love. The collection as a whole satisfies, with a wide range of lived experiences represented. Dramatic and impactful illustrations by cartoonist Doran open each story.
Thirteen solid stories from an all-star lineup. (about the authors) (Science fiction anthology. 13-18)Pub Date: June 14, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4197-5446-3
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
A sweet if muddled tale of the magic of Appalachia.
A teenage witch goes up against the evil king of the mountain to save a cursed village.
Witch-in-training Verity Vox has spent a year apiece in different villages, helping in any way she can as she learns her art. When it’s time to move on, she receives a sign that shows her where to go next. When the latest sign appears in the form of a note begging for help that floats down on a leaf, she’s eager for the challenge. Verity winds up in Foxfire, a village in the Appalachian mountains that’s been magically cut off from the rest of the world for years, leaving its people close to starvation. The root of their suffering is a man they know as Earl, who lives in the hills and strikes deals with the townspeople that ultimately cause crops to wither, folks to disappear, and the only bridge out of the valley to crumble. Verity is determined to change the villagers’ fortunes, but to do so she’ll have to face off against not just Earl but the ancient power of the mountains itself. Loosely based on the Germanic Erlking legend and told in a voice reminiscent of folktales, the story features a queer romance and a cast that presents white. The convoluted magic system undercuts the strong themes of reciprocity, poverty, and privilege, but Appalachian readers will instantly recognize home.
A sweet if muddled tale of the magic of Appalachia. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN: 9798890032706
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
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.
