An enticing read for both romance aficionados and D&D lovers.
King Arek pines after his court mage Matt.
Arek’s destiny was to defeat the Vile One and save the kingdom, but with that task done, he agrees to temporarily be the king until the true heir can be found. With the princess—the rightful heir—found dead in her tower, a magical inheritance clause keeps Arek tied to the throne. He must bind himself to his soul mate before his 18th birthday in three months—or die. Matt is his first choice, but, convinced that Matt doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, Arek turns to the princess’s diary for advice on courtship. While looking for love among his adventuring party–turned–royal advisers, Arek struggles to prove himself a worthy king to the mistrustful populace and avoid war with other kingdoms. A magical bard, prophecy-pushing wizard, and giant monster in a moat serve as a backdrop for a slow-burn romance. The casual acceptance of LGBTQ+ nobles and a central gay romance makes this a refreshing departure from the usual heteronormative feudal fantasies. Comedic moments abound without overshadowing or undermining the more high-stakes elements. Reading like the love child of a late-night D&D session gone awry and a romantic drama, Lukens' book is a delightfully original and whimsical narrative. Most characters default to White; one member of Arek’s group has dark skin and black hair.
An enticing read for both romance aficionados and D&D lovers. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-9686-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: McElderry
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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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