A powerful, complex woman dominates a riveting hero’s journey.
A demigod comes to terms with her identity in this duology closer.
Harnessing Greek mythology, the authors build a world in which the Theodesmioi, or “god-marked servants,” are enslaved in the Houses of Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, and Hephaestus. In the Underworld, Deina reckons with her half human–half god identity. She escapes with the help of gorgeous Thanatos, the god of death, and eventually gathers her Theodesmioi crew from the House of Hades: Theron, Dendris, and Aster. They seek the pieces of a special torc—a powerful neckpiece—that have been scattered and hidden by Tyche, the goddess of luck, and that could allow the Theodesmioi to break free. But Deina’s dual heritage creates unforeseen dilemmas, adding nuance to her characterization. Her lust for power leads her friends to fear her shrinking compassion, a shift that may suit a god but not the mortal they know. Graphic violence lends the book an edginess that suits the gory inspiration of Greek mythology. Can Deina become a hero like the other demigods before her? The intricate plot creates a surprisingly plausible resolution to a seemingly impossible problem. The cast, which is diverse in appearance, includes gender-bending gods who add to the texture of this dark fantasy. Although a brief prologue recaps the events of Daughter of the Underworld (2025), readers will best appreciate this one if they first read the earlier volume.
A powerful, complex woman dominates a riveting hero’s journey. (The Four Orders of Theodesmioi, cast list, bonus story) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
ISBN: 9781536244540
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
