A page-turner for genre fans, despite few real surprises.
In Armentrout’s (The Darkest Star, 2018, etc.) first YA sci-fi romance novel in a series, the boy next door is super-attractive, insufferable, and a space alien—and he has enemies.
After Katy Swartz’s father died three years ago, she and her mother moved from Gainesville, Florida, to tiny Ketterman, West Virginia. Katy’s senior year of high school is about to begin, and her mom suggests that she say hello to her teenage neighbors, a brother and sister named Daemon and Dee Black. Although Katy, who’s now 17, would rather be reading or writing her blog, she remembers her father’s advice: “Come on, Kittycat, don’t be a bystander.” Two things quickly become apparent about Daemon, though: “He was probably the hottest guy I’d ever seen in real life, and he was a total douche.” However, Dee is eager to be friends with Katy, and she explains Daemon’s rudeness as a product of his overprotectiveness. Something is strange, though, about the town of Ketterman, including reports of “people-shaped things of light.” The amazing truth is that the Blacks, and other local residents, are aliens, and they have extraterrestrial adversaries who are out to destroy them. However, no matter how much Daemon tries to keep Katy out of the fight, she remains determined not to be a bystander. Armentrout employs some fairly standard genre tropes, such as an obviously very attractive female protagonist who refuses to believe that she is, and a love interest who’s a specimen of over-the-top physical perfection. The couple’s love-hate romance dynamic is nothing new, either, although many readers will enjoy how the relationship builds and enjoy some steamy scenes. Armentrout’s writing is solid, and she provides Katy with a believable voice. A few sly references indicate that the author is quite aware of her genre’s conventions: “You’ve been an angst-ridden teenage girl, like the kind in the books I read”; “You don’t sparkle, do you?” The story is well-paced throughout, and the sci-fi elements provide some freshness, setting groundwork for future installments. (Bonus chapters, told from Daemon’s point of view, are also included.)
A page-turner for genre fans, despite few real surprises.Pub Date: May 8, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-62061-007-7
Page Count: 294
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 4, 2019
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Great for a middle- or high-school audience looking for some fun.
Comedy and suspense dominate this imaginative twist on the Dracula legend.
Harnissey, Dracula’s vampire nephew, and his companion, the ancient spider Morleaux, arrive at the old homestead for a visit when Dracula leaves for London. Harnissey, innocent, well-meaning and constantly bumbling, is attacked by the vampire sisters in residence, who intend to take over the castle while the Master is away. He and his intelligent spider sidekick eventually form an alliance with Dracula’s undead butler, a nicely drawn character always surrounded by a halo of buzzing flies, and a kingly, sinister cat, to do battle against a centuries-old vampire sorceress who’s arrived holding a grudge, along with her skeleton army. Bayne has a flair for droll comedy. His monstrous characters stand out clearly and distinctly as individuals, and the author’s clever focus on the other side of Bram Stoker’s novel helps fill out the story. The humorous undead protagonists, who are afraid of ghosts, add plenty of flavor to the story, as does the author’s incorporation of historical detail. The only flaw is Bayne’s tendency toward too-flippant dialogue, which is clearly designed to appeal to adolescents, but is inconsistent with the more sophisticated style used in the narration. Still, this is an entertaining romp that displays originality and inventiveness.
Great for a middle- or high-school audience looking for some fun. (Fiction. YA)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2006
ISBN: 0-595-40242-9
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A fantasy romance novel that shows much promise as the kickoff to a series.
A princess must choose between her kingdom and her true love.
Princess Alera, heiress to the throne of Hytanica, has reached a crossroads in her life. She has agreed to marry to benefit her kingdom. But Alera is displeased with her father’s choice of suitor, the egocentric and arrogant Lord Steldor. Selected for his firm hand and military skill, Steldor can expect to wield much power over the inquisitive and spirited princess–Hytanic tradition favors the rule of males, so Alera must settle down and defer to her leading man. As preparations for marriage are made, the return of a long-lost child of Hytanica, Narian, from the rival Cokyri people sends shockwaves through the kingdom–and Alera’s heart. The Cokyri are renowned for their violent and bloodthirsty ways, and Narian is welcomed warily by the masses. Alera is quick to warm to him–he is mysterious and daring, fearless and capable. And Narian takes her seriously. Their clandestine relationship leads Alera to take dangerous risks, especially when the Cokyrians’ plans to reclaim Narian as their own come to light. The looming conflict jeopardizes their nascent love affair, as well as the whole of Hytanica. The princess finds herself not only pitted between two suitors but forced to decide between her royal obligations and her heart’s deepest desire. Debut novelist Kluver’s solid world-building skills flesh out this dynamic coming-of-age romance with strong detail and cultural development. Alera is fiery and likable and will find favor among young adult readers. Lively secondary characters, with the exception of a somewhat flat depiction of Steldor, and sharp dialogue, combined with richly imagined Hytanic legend and history, keep the pace of this epic moving until the last scene. However, the tale’s abrupt cliffhanger leaves both major story lines frustratingly stalled until the sequel.
A fantasy romance novel that shows much promise as the kickoff to a series.Pub Date: April 15, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-9802089-7-9
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2011
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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