Dark and enticing; an atmospheric, folklore-infused fantasy.
Nettle has always felt out of place in her village; when she accidentally falls into the faery realm, she must do everything she can to get back home to her grandmother.
All her life, Nettle has heard Grandma’s stories of the beautiful and deceptive faeries—as well as fierce warnings to stay away from the forest and ignore the bewitching voices calling to her from it. But when Grandma falls ill, Nettle pleads with the fae folk for a way to save her. Transported to the land of the faeries, Nettle discovers a glamorous world with one crimson moon and one silver and a sky filled with scarlet stars—and no apparent way home. Locryn, King of the Moorland offers her a deal: He’ll help Grandma and send Nettle home if she completes three tasks for him. But a desperate Nettle quickly realizes the tasks are anything but simple. As Nettle is pulled deeper into the alluringly glamorous—and dangerous—faery world, she becomes torn between fellow human Conor, who’s Irish, and the mysterious shadow faery Ellion. Nettle must determine where and with whom she truly belongs. This adventure is brimming with romance, plot twists, and delightfully horrid creatures. The strong plot and quick pace are complemented by endearing characters, including prickly Nettle, gentle Conor, and protective Ellion. Nettle and Conor present white, and Ellion has brown skin and black hair.
Dark and enticing; an atmospheric, folklore-infused fantasy. (faery plants) (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781774888759
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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