A completely compelling read.
A teenage girl, living with foster parents since her parents died in a murder-suicide, learn she’s a magical being—and possibly a killer’s next victim.
After Edith shockingly grows claws and accidentally draws blood from a boy who menacingly grabs her after she makes it clear she’s not receptive, she learns she’s a descendant of a long line of beserkir, who can take the form of a wolf, bear, or boar. Self-described “good girl” Edith is naturally incredulous. To get the charges dropped, she heads to a wilderness therapy program for troubled youth—Iceland’s Skallagrim Academy, where ancient Norse magic is a way of life. There, she meets witches, seers, hunters, and other beserkir. On her second day at Skallagrim, a student is murdered—and Edith becomes hunter Amund’s prime suspect as he investigates the crime. She’s determined to prove her innocence while also trying to stay alive. Despite the threat Amund poses to Edith, the pull between the two is undeniable. The delicious twist of their forbidden will-they, won’t-they romance is as riveting as the race to find out who the true culprit is. The leads’ dual first-person narrative invites readers to witness questioning, determination, and growth from the perspectives of both a hunter and a berserkr, serving to enhance this thriller whose mystery is woven into the magic of the book. Main characters present white.
A completely compelling read. (author’s note with resources) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
ISBN: 9781665979573
Page Count: 464
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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