A rollicking steampunk adventure that expertly blends action and magic into a fantastical heist for the ages.
A teenager whose newfound inheritance puts a target on his back decides to join forces with a ragtag group of thieves to help pull off the ultimate heist in Fraedrich’s YA fantasy thriller.
In the fantastical realm of Springhaven, 14-year-old Varick Pendragon is adrift. His beloved grandfather has just died, and the teenager has inherited his entire fortune—much to the ire of Varick’s ruthless and conniving family. Varick’s life takes a startling turn when he catches a young thief named Coal stealing his sister’s jewelry and the two become unlikely friends. Coal introduces Varick to his band of fellow rascals, including Mercury (the charismatic leader) and Carver (whose ability to mimic voices is unparalleled). The group reveals their plans to steal the coveted Nightfall Crown, which will be on a luxury airship for an upcoming cruise—they need Varick to purchase the tickets and smuggle them onboard. Wanting to help the thieves build better lives for themselves, Varick agrees to the wild plan. But soon enough, everything begins to unravel: A brutal fight with Varick’s older brother threatens their scheme; a secret plot to undermine Varick’s wealth is underway; and a stunning last-minute betrayal leaves him questioning everything…and everyone. Fraedrich crafts an imaginative yet grounded world in which Varick struggles just as much with his toxic family as he does with pulling off the crown heist. The conferring of deeply humanizing characteristics—not just upon Varick, but on his merry band of thieves, as well—makes for a rich and rewarding read. The action (sometimes accompanied by a touch of magic) is frequent and exciting: “Well over an hour later, as the wee hours of the morning drew into their weest, Varick wondered if he might still be dreaming. They’d traveled via rooftop as much as possible, and he’d been glad to get some more practice roof-running.” Ideal for both YA and adult readers, the novel effortlessly weaves together themes of friendship, generational trauma, and the value of staying true to oneself.
A rollicking steampunk adventure that expertly blends action and magic into a fantastical heist for the ages.Pub Date: June 17, 2025
ISBN: 9798987843611
Page Count: 393
Publisher: Goat Song Publishing
Review Posted Online: Aug. 14, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning.
Two teens train to be society-sanctioned killers in an otherwise immortal world.
On post-mortal Earth, humans live long (if not particularly passionate) lives without fear of disease, aging, or accidents. Operating independently of the governing AI (called the Thunderhead since it evolved from the cloud), scythes rely on 10 commandments, quotas, and their own moral codes to glean the population. After challenging Hon. Scythe Faraday, 16-year-olds Rowan Damisch and Citra Terranova reluctantly become his apprentices. Subjected to killcraft training, exposed to numerous executions, and discouraged from becoming allies or lovers, the two find themselves engaged in a fatal competition but equally determined to fight corruption and cruelty. The vivid and often violent action unfolds slowly, anchored in complex worldbuilding and propelled by political machinations and existential musings. Scythes’ journal entries accompany Rowan’s and Citra’s dual and dueling narratives, revealing both personal struggles and societal problems. The futuristic post–2042 MidMerican world is both dystopia and utopia, free of fear, unexpected death, and blatant racism—multiracial main characters discuss their diverse ethnic percentages rather than purity—but also lacking creativity, emotion, and purpose. Elegant and elegiac, brooding but imbued with gallows humor, Shusterman’s dark tale thrusts realistic, likable teens into a surreal situation and raises deep philosophic questions.
A thoughtful and thrilling story of life, death, and meaning. (Science fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: Nov. 29, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4424-7242-6
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 25, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2016
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
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