A solid, well-imagined beginning to what could be an outstanding YA fantasy saga.
Stadd’s debut novel—the first installment of a YA fantasy trilogy—chronicles the adventures of a teenager who, after discovering the existence of another realm, realizes that he may be the only person who can save the magical world and its inhabitants from annihilation.
Jordan, who lost his geologist father years ago in a tragic cave mishap, knows that forging his mother’s signature to go on a school field trip exploring a nearby cave system is a bad idea. When he arrives at the site late, gets stuck deep underground in an unstable tunnel, and has to be rescued, he knows he’s in big trouble. But his mother’s ire is worth it—as he was trapped deep beneath the earth, he found and pocketed a luminescent rock that looked like it contained an entire galaxy within it. The rock, Jordan quickly realizes, is a conduit that transports him to another world while he sleeps. The realm, Elatia, is a wondrous, seemingly idyllic place that has jaw-dropping, rejuvenating powers. But Jordan realizes that the world’s inhabitants—which include a beautiful teenage girl named Kaylaira—must suffer through a genocidal purge every eight years. The mysterious MonTu regularly arrive to steal the planet’s powers and callously kill its inhabitants. Jordan, however, has incredible abilities on Elatia. He’s a wind driver, a mythical warrior who can not only control the air, but also might be able to save Elatia’s people. Jordan’s authentic teen voice (“By no means an angel, I’m an average teen delving into my fair share of mischief. What teen hasn’t?”) and the author’s exceptional worldbuilding (“Lily pads the size of small cars stagger a footpath across water”) make this an undeniable page-turner. And although the latter half of the novel lags in places when it comes to momentum and overall intensity, the conclusion contains some impressive bombshell plot twists that will leave readers salivating for the sequel.
A solid, well-imagined beginning to what could be an outstanding YA fantasy saga.Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2022
ISBN: 979-8985509403
Page Count: 332
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy.
A war between gods plays havoc with mortals and their everyday lives.
In a time of typewriters and steam engines, Iris Winnow awaits word from her older brother, who has enlisted on the side of Enva the Skyward goddess. Alcohol abuse led to her mother’s losing her job, and Iris has dropped out of school and found work utilizing her writing skills at the Oath Gazette. Hiding the stress of her home issues behind a brave face, Iris competes for valuable assignments that may one day earn her the coveted columnist position. Her rival for the job is handsome and wealthy Roman Kitt, whose prose entrances her so much she avoids reading his articles. At home, she writes cathartic letters to her brother, never posting them but instead placing them in her wardrobe, where they vanish overnight. One day Iris receives a reply, which, along with other events, pushes her to make dramatic life decisions. Magic plays a quiet role in this story, and readers may for a time forget there is anything supernatural going on. This is more of a wartime tale of broken families, inspired youths, and higher powers using people as pawns. It flirts with clichéd tropes but also takes some startling turns. Main characters are assumed White; same-sex marriages and gender equality at the warfront appear to be the norm in this world.
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-85743-9
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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