An essential tome for die-hard Star Wars fans, although others will find much to enjoy.
As the dastardly Nihil inflict turmoil and bloodshed in the Outer Rim, the Republic and Jedi Order scramble to eliminate the space pirates and bring peace to the galaxy.
Rumors abound of ships forced out of hyperspace into realspace and then disappearing; the Nihil threat, it seems, is growing bolder and fiercer. Following the mysterious death of her mother, 18-year-old Sylvestri Yarrow is struggling to survive as a hauler. Then the Nihil launch a sudden attack on her ship in the Berenge sector, a rarely traveled part of space. Fleeing to Coruscant to alert the Republic, Syl falls into a political quagmire involving one of the wealthiest families in the galaxy as well as the strangely coveted Berenge sector, which might be crucial to the Nihil’s hyperspace disruptions. The whole ordeal pulls a quartet of Jedi into the mix: Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus; his Padawan, Reath Silas; Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh; and her Padawan, Imri Cantaros. Meanwhile, concerns over the Order’s involvement with the Republic in its campaign against the Nihil plague the four Jedis. Containing a dizzying number of overarching storylines and characters, this latest installment set in the High Republic era nonetheless excels, with enough political intrigue and intricate thrills once it yanks its disparate threads together. Per usual, Ireland’s firm grasp of this universe keeps it all from running amok.
An essential tome for die-hard Star Wars fans, although others will find much to enjoy. (timeline) (Science fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: July 27, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-368-06065-3
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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