A focused and fast-paced entry that moves the storyline along.
Coming of age proves difficult when one’s identity is deeply tied to the past.
Will has accepted the horrible truth: He is not the Reborn Lady of Light but rather the Reborn Dark King. Katherine, a true descendant of the Lady, tried to kill him when she found out, losing her life in the process. Will must keep his identity secret from his remaining companions as they try to maneuver and stay a step ahead of the forces still working to resurrect the Dark King’s power. The group opens a magical gate that takes them to the Umbria region of Italy, but half the party is left behind, including Violet, their strongest fighter, and young Elizabeth, the other descendant of the Lady. Will travels with James, the Reborn betrayer of the Light, who holds a former connection to the Dark King. The two young men grow closer, but how much of their relationship is colored by their past selves? Meanwhile, an ancient champion reawakens in Katherine’s body. The second installment of this series following 2021’s Dark Rise clips along at a much more energetic pace than the earlier entry, especially now that the main characters better understand their circumstances. The author includes a good blend of action, intrigue, and relationship-building moments. Queer relationships and elements of body dysphoria are addressed. Most characters are light-skinned; Violet is white and Indian.
A focused and fast-paced entry that moves the storyline along. (Historical fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2023
ISBN: 9780062946171
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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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