An earnest but pedestrian tale of a teen relationship.
Galen’s YA novella, part of his Young Romance series, shares a growing romance between two teens.
Cole Douglas, an exceptional swimmer, and Lisa Mathers, a popular volleyball player,accidentally collide, ending up with their lips pressed together in front of all their friends because fellow student Clayton Durst’s ball-bearing science experiment spilled onto the floor of the main hallway. Cole offers a rambling apology which gets a puzzling reply from Lisa: “You big dummy,” she says, and then said under her breath, “I can’t believe you were my first kiss.” Lisa shows up at Cole’s house that evening and kisses him again, trying to decide if she really likes him; when they first kissed, she explains, she “felt scared and excited and surprised and a million other things.” His reaction to second kiss is unexpected: “I’m sorry. This isn’t right.” Later, though, he reconsiders his feelings. This back and forth continues, as they both try to determine their true emotions. After Cole nearly drowns while swimming in a lake, he’s hospitalized with dehydration and exhaustion; when he returns home, Lisa shows up to keep an eye on him. She makes him pancakes; he makes her crêpes. They get to know each other better. She makes Cole promise to go to the school dance—where it appears that she’s already in a relationship with someone else, but things may not be what they seem. Young love blooms in Galen’s story, which accurately reflects teenagers’ propensity to misinterpret events. However, it’s somewhat predictable, and readers may feel that lacks convincing drama, aside from Cole’s near-tragedy, and the initial accidental run-in seems farfetched and unbelievable. The work appears to be geared toward younger teens, but the bland dialogue and vague descriptions (of such things as Lisa’s “beautiful green eyes”) are unlikely to keep their interest. Overall, there’s too much dialogue and enough narrative to make this a compelling read.
An earnest but pedestrian tale of a teen relationship.Pub Date: Feb. 8, 2023
ISBN: 979-8218153410
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
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
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