An engaging fusion of SF, romance, and YA elements.
Anne’s YA novel, the first in a series, follows two members of rival communities as they struggle to overcome deep-seated hostilities that could destroy both factions.
The planet Naisyle is divided by a massive rift called the Gap that has separated two divergent populations for countless eons. On one side of the Gap is a low-tech village inhabited by people who have made the chasm a forbidden zone; they blame their rivals for the mysterious kidnappings of wayward children and careless scouts. On the other side is a technologically advanced city populated by people who see their opposite number as violent barbarians. When 18-year-old Astraea Elms’ little brother, Tarek, disappears in the Gap, her village quickly plans a rescue attempt, even though they have no idea where he is or whether he’s even still alive. The dangerous mission goes sideways, and Astraea finds herself a prisoner in Syong City’s Zenith building, the shining centerpiece of the Syong City government. After recently losing his father to a genetic brain disorder—a condition that he has unfortunately inherited—20-year-old Jassien “Jas” Marcello has taken over leadership of the Zenith building. When he meets Astraea, one of the outsiders who attacked his city, he does the unthinkable: He falls in love with the enemy. As the two learn more about one another, they discover that they may not be enemies after all. While the novel’s deft worldbuilding, plot intricacy, and pacing are all noteworthy, the real fuel to this story is the deeply emotional—and tumultuous—connection between Astraea and Jas. The organic development of their bond is tonally perfect, equal parts innocent, naïve, and passionate: “Our kissing…awakened something inside of me I didn’t know existed. I want more, like a bug bite wants to be scratched. I can’t get enough.” This first volume sets up a saga with the potential to rival The Hunger Games series in terms of narrative quality and commercial appeal.
An engaging fusion of SF, romance, and YA elements.Pub Date: March 1, 2026
ISBN: 9798993110646
Page Count: 254
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
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
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