A satisfying finale to an inventive and absorbing series.
As danger approaches, orphan Henrietta Achilles must protect the inherited castle she now calls home in this graphic fantasy translated from the German.
The formerly friendly stone guardians led by the mysterious Firstborn are attacking the village and trying to breach the entrance to the castle. Henrietta has grown into her own, capably harnessing the magic powers of the house keys to protect the townspeople sheltered inside. A turncoat within the castle causes chaos, setting loose more corrupted stone guardians—but the real mastermind of the invasion is someone unexpected. An emotional backstory reveals what happened to Henrietta’s parents, and, finally, the contents of the wizard Ornun Zol’s secret vault are unveiled. With never a dull moment, this entertaining fourth and final series entry that follows 2021’s The Winter of Walking Stone easily shifts between perfectly timed humor, poignant dialogue, and action-packed battles. The inventive magical elements and splendidly atmospheric illustrations continue to delight and make this series a standout. The myriad bandits, townspeople, friendly creatures, and menacing army of enemies may be overwhelming to keep track of at times, but readers will be pleased at the return of memorable characters from previous installments. The cast is predominantly male and light-skinned.
A satisfying finale to an inventive and absorbing series. (pierogi recipe, character sketches) (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: May 17, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72844-865-7
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: Jan. 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A well-balanced and captivating stand-alone fantasy.
A young nobleman struggles to find peace after surviving a plague and imprisonment in a neighboring kingdom.
To settle 50 years of war between their kingdoms, Princess Jehan of Brisa marries King Rayan of Oliveras, and together they sign a peace treaty. When Oliveras’ capital city, Elvira, is overwhelmed by a pestilence that leaves many dead, the king and queen are offered refuge in Palmerin by their friend Lord Ventillas. It has been three years since Lord Cassia and his personal guard were ambushed and captured by Brisan soldiers. Scarred, alone, and possessing an inexplicable ability to see ghosts, Cas journeys home to reunite with Ventillas, his older brother, and on the day of his arrival in Palmerin, he rescues the royal couple’s infant son from a deadly assassin. When others close to Queen Jehan are targeted, Cas and Lena, an aspiring historian and King Rayan’s younger sister, trace the killer’s steps—but when they search the queen’s past for answers, they uncover a harrowing secret that could threaten the fate of the kingdom. Lucier wastes no time in this gripping mystery: Every twist is carefully plotted, and the worldbuilding is intricate yet effortless. Each of Cas’ relationships, even those with the spirits he encounters, is distinct, and, like him, readers will find it difficult to judge who is trustworthy. Most characters have black or brown hair and dark eyes; the few mentions of skin tone reference bronze and golden complexions.
A well-balanced and captivating stand-alone fantasy. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Nov. 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-358-27209-0
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
High-stakes competition, swoony romance, and expertly crafted worldbuilding distinguish this debut.
Against a backdrop of phoenix races, a dedicated tamer and a charismatic rider—initially at odds with one another—find love while fighting for their survival.
Kel is trying to keep her family’s farm and aviary afloat. As a phoenix tamer, she looks after and trains the phoenixes for their racing team, the Crimson Howlers; Dira, the team’s winger and Kel’s longtime friend, handles strategy. After the Howlers’ rider dies in a race, Dira connects with brothers Bekn, a mitigator (publicist who seeks sponsors), and Coup, a reckless rider in need of a team. Even though Coup’s arrogance frustrates Kel, they may be able to help each other survive the often-brutal world of phoenix racing. When a fire destroys Kel’s family’s aviary, tech giant Cristo Industries offers to sponsor her and Coup alone. Tempted by their financial generosity, Kel agrees, but she becomes suspicious that there are dark motives behind their interest in her and Savita, her phoenix. The relationships are a strength of the story: Kel’s love for and commitment to Savita adds layers to the suspenseful conflict, and Kel and Coup’s eventual romance creates bonds that strengthen the emotional reserves they’ll need to draw upon. The richly imagined island world, with its elaborate racing tracks and variety of mythical creatures, comes together seamlessly. Kel and Coup are cued white, and Dira has dark brown skin.
High-stakes competition, swoony romance, and expertly crafted worldbuilding distinguish this debut. (content warning, excerpt from The Saltan Bestiary) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780374393427
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
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