A disappointing sequel that fails to capture the cohesiveness of the first book.
A science-infused political sci-fi thriller.
The irrepressible Jimi continues to throw caution to the wind to help her chimera (humans who have enhanced their DNA with animal genes) friends in their fight for equality. A few months after the conclusion of Spliced (2017), Jimi finally reunites with love interest Rex, but when their friend Doctor Guzman is wrongfully arrested for a chimera’s death, the 17-year-old and her friends seek to clear his name and uncover the secrets behind the facility that last treated the deceased chimera. The heroine continues to rescue her modified friends with her ingenuity and bravery, which begins to grate due to predictability and reliance on tired tropes. All roads lead to tech billionaire Howard Wells, but he barely makes an appearance even though his reach is omnipresent. The romance fails to come to life and often falls in dated gender territory. Awkward dialogue and belabored exposition mar the otherwise effective exploration of relevant and timely issues, such as personhood, genetic experimentation, slave labor, and more. The long-lasting impact of prejudice and the evils that are perpetrated in its name are poignantly woven in with some success, but uneven pacing and characterization detract, and the worldbuilding falters to the point of distraction. A big reveal in the last chapter hints at more to come, but fans might not return for future entries.
A disappointing sequel that fails to capture the cohesiveness of the first book. (Science fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 14, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4090-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: March 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic.
An 18-year-old’s encounter with the pale, mysterious, golden-eyed Starmaker transforms her from hamlet girl to magical apprentice.
Aurora Finch discovers she possesses the rare ability to channel sunlight—magic essential to the survival of snow-covered Reverie, her mountain village, “with peaks so high the Sun [cannot] rise above them.” Now she faces a harsh choice: Leave everything behind to train at the Starmaker’s enchanted castle or die as the untapped magic destroys her from within. Griffin excels at worldbuilding; the story is filled with elements and characters that feel both whimsical and real, from Tilly, a living snow angel who’s searching for herself, to Constance, an immortal rabbit. As the antagonism between Aurora and the cold, centuries-old Starmaker melts, their love story, which forms the heart of this tale, crackles with tension. Aurora emerges as a compelling hero—stubborn and brave—who refuses to be diminished by the overwhelming responsibilities thrust upon her. The romantic storyline proves both strong and emotionally involving as the author brings fresh twists to familiar elements, exploring the power of stories and how they shape our understanding of the world. White-presenting Aurora faces a devastating truth that creates urgency and heightens the emotional stakes that drive the story to its conclusion. This satisfying, sparkling fantasy will capture hearts with its well-developed setting and captivating love story.
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
ISBN: 9781728256184
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
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