An entertaining and engaging reinterpretation of a classic myth.
Persephone willingly descends into the Underworld to escape an arranged marriage.
This retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth from Greek mythology focuses on Kore, a goddess frustrated from childhood by the trivial role assigned to her: goddess of the flowers and of beauty in nature. Facing an unwanted marriage arranged by her parents, Demeter and Zeus, Kore chooses to escape by throwing herself into the Underworld. There, she uses xenia, the rule of hospitality, to secure her temporary safety, despite Hades’ reluctance. As Kore explores the Underworld, she takes an interest in improving conditions for the dead and begins challenging the established order of Olympus. Her relationship with Hades evolves from wary tolerance to mutual trust; Hades is portrayed as a wounded but kind figure. Kore eventually adopts the name Persephone, claiming her new identity. As Demeter and Zeus come closer to finding Persephone, Persephone and Hades agree to marry to prevent her being forced into a marriage with another god and to protect Hades from the rumor that he’s stolen Persephone against her will. While some readers may find the modern-sounding dialogue distracting, others will appreciate the banter that gradually builds into a slow-burn romance. Characters like Styx and Tempest provide needed levity and add personality. Overall, Fitzgerald’s debut offers a fresh and appealing reimagining that emphasizes Persephone’s agency in a satisfying way.
An entertaining and engaging reinterpretation of a classic myth. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781464243080
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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