Much potential, mixed payoff.
What price magic?
Set against an imaginative background and inspired by the Radium Girls, this is a love story between two broken, orphaned older teens who discover magic both literal and figurative when they meet. When Twain discovers a strand of starlight and Quinta finds a book of starlight lace patterns at the Vermilion Emporium (possibly the most creative and least utilized magic shop in YA fantasy), they discover a secret—that starlight lace once conferred power, although magic was last seen in Severon a couple of hundred years ago. Together they set out to make a dress of starlight for the Casorina who rules their land. Both Quinta and Twain are appealing and easy to root for. Unfortunately, every conflict resolves rapidly, compelling obstacles are nearly nonexistent, and love blossoms immediately so that the only barrier is Quinta’s love-’em-and- leave-’em attitude (her sexual experience, which includes past male and female lovers and many one-night stands, is, refreshingly, never an issue for her or for Twain). The world is a vibrant, multiracial, magical place, but uneven pacing makes the first half drag while the latter portion of the book rockets along and provides all the conflict and tension. With this work Pacton pivots from realistic fiction to fantasy, and the often lovely writing creates a feast for the senses despite the plot’s weaknesses.
Much potential, mixed payoff. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-68263-488-2
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Peachtree Teen
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
A worthy follow-up to a stellar debut.
A Black teenage witch deals with the fallout of past choices while trying to prevent future destruction.
Voya is facing the aftermath of the tough choices she made in Blood Like Magic (2021) in order to pass her Calling and acquire magical powers. Having received two gifts, Voya is now the youngest Matriarch ever to be crowned in her family. She finds that she has much to do to earn the respect of those around her—and possibly even those who came before her, since her ancestors have not answered any of her calls for guidance. The recent death of her grandmother—her family’s previous Matriarch—has caused new intrafamilial strain and enhanced existing stressors. Not only that, but Justin Tremblay, renowned tech magnate and sponsor father of Luc, Voya’s first love, is presumed dead, and Luc thinks Voya is responsible. As if her plate weren’t full enough, Voya experiences a vision that shows her the potential annihilation of her family and the wider Black witch community in Toronto. Now, to try and prevent the devastating future she foresaw, she has to work to overcome her insecurities as a Matriarch and convince the elders who also lack faith in her to unite. Thanks to Sambury’s fluid writing style and well-established storyline and characters, readers will easily be able to follow Voya and other supporting characters as their lives and challenges become more complicated.
A worthy follow-up to a stellar debut. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6531-2
Page Count: 480
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
This duology closer delves deeper into mythology while depicting textured, realistic relationships.
Briseis goes on an even riskier journey with more menacing enemies in the sequel to This Poison Heart (2021).
Sixteen-year-old Briseis Greene’s story continues as she is tasked with reuniting all the pieces of the Absyrtus Heart in order to save Thandie, one of her adoptive moms, who is being held by Hecate in the underworld. Bri finds out that Circe (the biological aunt whose existence she only recently learned of following her supposed death) is actually alive and has been searching for the pieces of the Heart as well. This revelation marks just the beginning of the discoveries and twists that Bri has to deal with: The history of her biological family and their connections to mythological gods go deeper than she realized, and the adversaries she has to face are even more dangerous than everything she’s experienced thus far. But saving her mom is paramount, and Bri is willing to do anything and face anyone in order to do so. Readers who were hooked after reading the previous book with its cliffhanger ending will be pleased to follow more of Bri’s story. Bayron highlights themes of sisterhood, familial bonds, and intergenerational trauma in this novel centering Black characters. Bri’s story showcases how love can help give one the strength and courage needed to confront fears and weather uncomfortable truths.
This duology closer delves deeper into mythology while depicting textured, realistic relationships. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: June 21, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0920-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2022
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