A heartfelt culmination of the themes, lore, and relationships among a found family that’s fighting to save reality.
The nature of reality is at stake in this trilogy-capping finale.
Following the events of DeadEndia: The Broken Halo (2019), Norma is to be made the new queen of Hell, a ritual that sets apocalyptic consequences into motion. When angels and demons battle over opposing mythologies, how will everyone pick sides? If that isn’t stressful enough, Barney attends a family reunion where his transmasc gender and his boyfriend are scrutinized. The book balances the supernatural and the personal at every turn, such as when Badyah squares her opposition to so-called angels with her Muslim faith. The characters and their interactions never get old—and not just because of the time-loop shenanigans. They alternate between friendly ribbing and heartfelt confessions, whether acknowledging the sheer camp of a golden spacesuit or confessing confusion over one’s sexuality. The action reaches fever pitches, and the art conveys an apocalyptic sense of scale for scenes of angelic battle and includes dramatic beams of light for a dimension-rending spell. Each plane of existence in this adventure boasts its own color scheme and aesthetic. The story never loses sight of the characters who drive the story, and the beautiful art, revealing dialogue, and careful worldbuilding together contribute to creating a well-earned impact.
A heartfelt culmination of the themes, lore, and relationships among a found family that’s fighting to save reality. (cast of characters, animated series pitch samples, production art) (Graphic fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: April 23, 2024
ISBN: 9781454949015
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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