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THE CURIE SOCIETY

A STEM treat for the curious.

A secret society for women in science taps three brilliant undergrads as new members.

Maya, Simone, and Taj don’t seem like the most harmonious of freshman roommates. Maya struggles to do her own laundry, Taj only wants to play video games, and they both refuse to share space with Simone’s ant farms. When the roommates each receive pieces of a cryptic invitation that they must work together to read, their conflicting personalities and complementary specialties contribute to the suspense in the adventure that follows. A pleasingly intellectual mystery hunt leads to a surprise escape room challenge at a secret lab—their college’s chapter of a clandestine organization founded by Marie Curie. The ensuing training montage and mission might be the most fascinating parts of the book: Decorative and informative art explores current or plausible near-future technologies like nanofiber bulletproof suits, ionic wind biplanes, and species de-extinction. Before long, the young women find themselves in a battle of both wits and fists, protecting cutting-edge research from corporations who would cut every corner. An emerging rogue organization nicely sets up a sequel. The characterization is deft and snappy, and the visual storytelling efficient and dynamic with an expressive color palette and varied panel layout. Maya is Indian American, Simone is Black, and Taj reads as White; there is ethnic diversity in the supporting cast.

A STEM treat for the curious. (scientist biographies, glossary, maps) (Graphic science fiction. 13-18)

Pub Date: April 27, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-262-53994-4

Page Count: 168

Publisher: MIT Press

Review Posted Online: Feb. 5, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021

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POWERLESS

From the Powerless Trilogy series , Vol. 1

A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.

The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.

Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.

A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023

ISBN: 9798987380406

Page Count: 538

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023

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THE CRUEL PRINCE

From the Folk of the Air series , Vol. 1

Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.

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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

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