Immersive and rousing.
Beijing, 1989: Following the death of a progressive government official, university students organize protests calling for democracy, equity, and freedom of speech.
Lei, who is in her final year of secondary school, wants to join the student movement, but her personal situation complicates matters. As the privileged daughter of a wealthy, high-ranking Communist Party official, Lei feels complicit in the inequality and authoritarianism that the students are protesting; as a descendant of Wu Zetian, the only female sovereign in Chinese history, and heir to the empress’s rare art collection, Lei represents the imperial decadence loathed by the Communist government and protesters alike. Lei’s mother and twin sister, Jun, warn her that involvement in the demonstrations will threaten her father’s ability to protect both their family and the precious artwork, but Lei is determined to play a part in shaping the future of her country, especially after she meets earnest and intelligent Delun, a boy who is one of the movement’s leading members. Lei’s story, briefly touched upon in Heiress Apparently (2020), is fully revealed in this fast-paced prequel suffused with political and familial tension. Details concerning Wu Zetian, the Cultural Revolution, and the 1989 protests are smoothly woven into the narrative, providing essential context. Scenes from the Tang Dynasty featuring Wu Zetian’s daughter Princess Taiping are scattered throughout the novel, connecting Lei to her family history through parallel circumstances.
Immersive and rousing. (author's note) (Historical fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4197-4998-8
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Amulet/Abrams
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization.
Ellis Mitchell has her whole life planned out.
Heading into senior year, Ellis plans to study hard and crush it at the journalism internship her media executive dad got her, paving the way for her acceptance to Columbia University. But then Ellis’ parents announce they’re separating—and that Ellis and her mom will be heading to Bramble Falls to stay with her aunt and cousin. Furious that her careful plans have been upended, Ellis struggles to settle into the small, charming Connecticut town even as everyone around her gears up for the annual Falling Leaves Festival. Ellis runs into Cooper Barnett—her long-ago summer friend from visits to Aunt Naomi and cousin Sloane—who’s grown up to be very handsome. But Cooper isn’t pleased to see Ellis; he’s cold and curt, and she has no idea why. Wilson’s YA debut is chock-full of charm. Readers will swoon at Cooper’s and Ellis’ developing feelings following their frosty reunion and sympathize with Ellis’ difficulties even as Bramble Falls grows on her. She must choose between small-town community ties and big-city ambitions—between what her dad wants for her and what she really wants. Ellis’ relationships with her mom, aunt, and cousin are lovely and aspirational. The depiction of Bramble Falls is evocative, and the book contains enough seasonal delights to satisfy even the most devoted pumpkin spice latte lover. Main characters are cued white.
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization. (Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781665975209
Page Count: 352
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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