A hyperspace jump of series momentum; readers will love the ride.
With the treacherous Nihil in apparent retreat, the Jedi seek to finally stamp out the raiders’ threat against the Republic.
Months have passed since the Nihil attack on the Republic Fair, and the Jedi of Starlight Beacon are striving to recover balance in the wake of so much loss. Some, like Padawan Reath Silas, attempt to reconcile the terror and devastation of battle with the station’s everyday calm and community. Others are overwhelmed by inscrutable emotions—or the lack thereof. But, as ever, the Jedi must set feelings—and even each other—aside when unrest and disappearances on the planet Corellia indicate an emboldened Nihil threat in the core of the Republic. Teaming up with the charming, ruthless leader of a Corellian protection agency, Padawans Reath and Ram Jomaram are thrown into a dangerous tangle of politics and corruption, at the center of which lies a threat that could rupture the Republic and destroy the Jedi. Older’s thorough understanding of this universe shines: Nothing short of knowledge of the Force could keep so many overlapping waves of breakneck action, political intrigue, and constant emotional upheaval in harmony across the perspectives of no less than five focal characters. Stalwart fans and newcomers alike can enjoy this installment, though familiarity with franchise basics remains necessary. Queer relationships and nonbinary representation take center stage as found family, the thrill of connection, and grief drive each of the characters.
A hyperspace jump of series momentum; readers will love the ride. (timeline) (Science fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-368-06067-7
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic.
An 18-year-old’s encounter with the pale, mysterious, golden-eyed Starmaker transforms her from hamlet girl to magical apprentice.
Aurora Finch discovers she possesses the rare ability to channel sunlight—magic essential to the survival of snow-covered Reverie, her mountain village, “with peaks so high the Sun [cannot] rise above them.” Now she faces a harsh choice: Leave everything behind to train at the Starmaker’s enchanted castle or die as the untapped magic destroys her from within. Griffin excels at worldbuilding; the story is filled with elements and characters that feel both whimsical and real, from Tilly, a living snow angel who’s searching for herself, to Constance, an immortal rabbit. As the antagonism between Aurora and the cold, centuries-old Starmaker melts, their love story, which forms the heart of this tale, crackles with tension. Aurora emerges as a compelling hero—stubborn and brave—who refuses to be diminished by the overwhelming responsibilities thrust upon her. The romantic storyline proves both strong and emotionally involving as the author brings fresh twists to familiar elements, exploring the power of stories and how they shape our understanding of the world. White-presenting Aurora faces a devastating truth that creates urgency and heightens the emotional stakes that drive the story to its conclusion. This satisfying, sparkling fantasy will capture hearts with its well-developed setting and captivating love story.
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
ISBN: 9781728256184
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
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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