An initially intriguing fantasy that stumbles to its finish.
Two time-traveling Black 18-year-olds from rival families become the next competitors in a centurieslong death match they must work together to stop.
Ever since their enslaved ancestors were cursed by a witch, the Baldwins and the Davenports have been mortal enemies, forced to cause each other suffering and to compete in the Tethered Gambit, a death match that exists for the witch’s entertainment. Emma Baldwin lives in the 1940s, traveling with her family’s circus and granting wishes. She dreams of freedom, but she falls victim to her family’s biggest secret, the Tether. In 2024, Malcolm Davenport is desperate to protect his family and break the curse before it claims another loved one—but then he, too, is Tethered. When Emma time-travels to spy on her competition, the two meet and establish a tentative partnership. As they jump through time seeking information and having clandestine meetings, something undeniable sparks between them—but can they really trust each other or will it become a story of “kill or be killed”? This book starts off strong with an original premise, interesting worldbuilding, and poignant moments of insight as it celebrates Black history, excellence, and resilience. However, the middle sags, leaning into repetitive pining and internal monologuing at the expense of plot progression and on-page character and relationship development. Though it rallies slightly toward the end, this debut ultimately doesn’t deliver on its promise.
An initially intriguing fantasy that stumbles to its finish. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9781250365408
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2026
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
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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