by Breeana Shields ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 21, 2019
An enjoyable read as long as logic is not applied strongly.
When Saskia’s future fractures in two, can she survive either path?
On the day of her kenning, when her vocation and possibly her mate will be revealed by bone magic, 17-year-old Saskia’s Bone Charmer mother, Della, views multiple futures and picks the one with the greatest chance of happiness and fulfillment. At a crucial moment, Saskia balks and snaps one of the bones; two futures spin off. In one she has the job she feared was her fate, Bone Charming, and a dark, brooding mate, Bram. In the other she has the job (Tutor) and mate (charming and funny Declan) she would have chosen. If Tutor Saskia and her mother can’t knit the broken bone back together, both futures will vanish. On top of that, both futures are in danger from a dark magic–wielding Charmer intent on amassing more power. Shields (Poison’s Cage, 2018, etc.) creates a dark and interesting world peopled with recognizable (and ostensibly white) characters, but her ultimate message that you can’t fight fate and shouldn’t try might not sit well with free-minded teens. Saskia narrates her own stories in alternating chapters, first one future then the other. A sequel is a certainty, as the somewhat muddy, downer of an ending leaves Saskia in danger.
An enjoyable read as long as logic is not applied strongly. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: May 21, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-62414-737-1
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: Feb. 19, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
More by Breeana Shields
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
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
Share your opinion of this book
Awards & Accolades
Likes
11
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
by Rebecca Ross ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2023
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy.
Awards & Accolades
Likes
11
Our Verdict
GET IT
New York Times Bestseller
A war between gods plays havoc with mortals and their everyday lives.
In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette. Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world.
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85743-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
More by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
BOOK REVIEW
by Rebecca Ross
More About This Book
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.