A sequel for existing fans only.
The fateful love story between a teen girl and a boy from the afterlife continues in this follow-up to Ferryman (2021).
Dylan and Tristan crossed over to the land of the living, inhabiting borrowed bodies on borrowed time. Dylan should have died in the train accident that sent her to the wasteland, and Tristan should have kept to his mission there as a ferryman of souls. Now, as Tristan adjusts to modern living and Dylan recovers from her injuries, they discover their actions have dire consequences. Not only did they leave a gap behind that allows wraiths to follow them into the living world, causing havoc wherever they go, but they are also now physically bound to one another, and if they are separated for too long, they will die. Unbeknownst to them both, another ferryman is following Tristan’s and Dylan’s tracks. This time around, the pair’s tale focuses on the very real, very dull world of school, dances, and petty jealousies—in between fighting deadly creatures and the otherworldly forces that wish to keep them apart. The contrast is as stark as the age difference between Dylan and Tristan (she is 15; he has been around for centuries) and as jarring as their love, which is lacking in chemistry. The narrative also follows the more interesting ferryman Susanna as she pines for a different life. Main characters are cued White.
A sequel for existing fans only. (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5362-1846-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Walker US/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice.
A fall romance with a New England backdrop.
Autumn leaves aren’t the only stunning thing to hit the town of Briar Glen—so has good-looking new boy Jack Harper, and Lucy Kane is enamored with both. Her new crush is the perfect thing to take her mind off the fact that Java Junction, part of a global chain, is opening across the street from Cup o’ Jo, Lucy’s mother’s coffee shop, where they take pride in baking everything from scratch and avoiding artificial ingredients. But there’s more than coincidence in the timing of the arrivals of both Jack and Java Junction: The Harper family moved to Briar Glen specifically to open this franchise location, which will bring competition that threatens Cup o’ Jo. This scenario has the makings of a perfect autumnal adversaries-to-lovers romance, but the writing lacks charm and chemistry. Jack seems to be completely enamored with Lucy, but her character isn’t sufficiently developed to warrant his attention. Lucy’s friends are continually supportive of her but have few distinguishing characteristics, and the story is weakened by confusing timelines and repetitive elements. The resolution relies upon successes that come too easily and do not feel earned. Major characters are cued white.
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice. (Romance. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781339030753
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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