A well-told story of devastating loss and forbidden love.
Bailey offers a YA fantasy novel set in a world of clashing destinies and deep-seated prejudice.
Élan is an 18-year-old burdened by his dual heritage—half Eldridge, half Castalian—which makes him an outcast in his own society, as he may have frightening magical powers as a result. His life is shattered when he witnesses the brutal murder of his parents by the evil Satyr forces. Afterward, he’s grudgingly taken in by his uncle, the DragonLord Leavenstar—an act that’s portrayed as a near-refusal. Élan’s existence, in fact, is marked by constant fear and rejection, which has the effect of fueling his desires for revenge against the Satyr Nations of the Phar Empire.The pair’s relationship is a complex one, as Leavenstar’s internal conflicts about raising Élan clash with the young man’s search for understanding and acceptance. The journey upon which they embark is fraught with peril, including encounters with birdlike creatures called grypis and the looming threat of the Satyr invasion. Adding to Élan’s turmoil is his forbidden love for the king’s niece, which only adds to his emotional burdens. As his Eldridge/Castalian powers awaken, he finds a crucial ally in a dragon, Moonshadow. His journey becomes a battle to prove his worth, forcing him to question his own agency. Over the course of this fantasy tale, Bailey masterfully creates a world where political intrigue, racial tensions, and personal struggles intertwine. The narrative is rich in detail, painting a vivid picture of the world’s creatures, cultures, and landscapes: “The binary Suns were setting as man and beast walked out into the green-tinged and fading light of the early evening and emerged onto a wide ledge set into a cliff face overlooking the foaming waves of the sea thousands of feet below.” Bailey never shies away from exploring the darker aspects of his characters’ natures, including prejudice, hatred, and abuse of power. Élan’s journey is effectively shown to be a dangerous one, not only due to external threats but also internal conflicts, as he tries to find a place in a world that won’t accept his existence.
A well-told story of devastating loss and forbidden love.Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2025
ISBN: 9781038311061
Page Count: 372
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
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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