Adequate escapism.
The runaway princess-bride of Roar (2017) returns to protect her city from threats both political and magical.
With her newfound magical abilities, Princess Aurora and her team of storm hunters return to her city of Pavan, where they discover how bleak the situation has become. The Locke family has seized control over the city by keeping Aurora’s mother, Queen Aphra, drugged, and their governance style is ruthless and cruel while refugees from the villainous Stormlord’s path of destruction pile up outside the city looking for salvation. Being back home means complications for Aurora’s relationships, especially with love interest Kiran, as she’s pulled between the liberties she had as Roar and her obligations as Aurora—and the secret threatens their romance. In the city, she lucks into contact with the revolutionary group resisting the Lockes. Despite the young adult heroine–as-rebel storyline’s lack of freshness, the emphasis on Aurora’s own agenda and on the characters’ ties to each other bolsters the plot. Breaks from Aurora’s and Kiran’s viewpoints—focusing on Novaya, Cassius, and Cruze (through flashbacks from 17 years prior)—give enough space that the central romance doesn’t smother and even allow for hints of other characters’ romances to come. Though the less-a-conclusion-than-a-pause ending is typical of middle books, the last act has surprises and action. Aurora is white, but many other characters are described as having varying shades of brown skin, including Kiran and Cassius.
Adequate escapism. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-7653-8636-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Tor Teen
Review Posted Online: May 25, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
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