Enchanting.
Alliances are shaky and the future is unclear as the magical order crumbles in this trilogy closer.
Even as Jordan and Quell are desperate to resolve the dark magic consuming Jordan from the inside, Quell reluctantly becomes the new headmistress of House of Marionne—and key to both the future the lovers desire for themselves and magic overall. Nore (the new headmistress of House of Ambrose) and Yagrin (Jordan’s brother) similarly have their romance complicated by the perilous state of magic, but they’re tasked with pursuing the secrets of immortality via clues left with all the Houses. The intricate worldbuilding present throughout the series manifests here as a sense of frenzy and impending doom that makes the romantic threads feel even more potent. Nore’s familial obligations take a toll, and Jordan struggles with the power growing inside him. The romantic chemistry between the young couples is palpable, providing touching moments of intimacy and well-earned fan service to shippers. The story feels rushed at times, and the complex machinations, numerous twists, and revealed history lead to some repetition. However, the impressive level of detail Elle provides for this diverse fantasy world—even in the midst of tumult—makes for an immersive reading experience all the way to the satisfyingly hard-fought conclusion.
Enchanting. (House of Marionne specialties, map, house histories, lexicon) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Oct. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9780593527764
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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