One enjoyable action-packed ride.
Shaman-in-training Winnie is excited to go to camp in the spiritual realm and have a chance to become a champion, just like her grandmother.
Following the events of Winnie Zeng Vanquishes a King (2023), Chinese American Winnie is informed by Lao Lao, her overspirit grandmother, of an upcoming 10-day winter break shaman camp. It includes a tournament where shamans battle for the coveted title of Shaman Youth Champion. (“Grand prize: A sparring lesson with a legendary spirit of your choosing. Runner-up: A surprise shaman goody bag.”) While Winnie struggles with mastering advanced skills, such as True Flight, and finding confidence in her magic, trouble is stirring. She overhears Spirit Council members talking about evil spirits, foul play, and shamans who don’t seem quite themselves. And then the tournament reveals more abnormalities. Winnie’s friend remarks on an opponent’s sudden surge in speed and power, and then Winnie battles shamans whose eyes strangely glow red. The well-structured narrative quickly picks up in pace as the evil spirits unveil their wicked endgame and plans for domination that reference Chinese mythology. Winnie and her friends attempt to hold them at bay, mustering all the skills in their possession and attempting not to be completely overwhelmed in the process. While the buildup to the climax is full of suspense, the neat resolution is comparatively brisk, but readers will be having too much fun to mind.
One enjoyable action-packed ride. (recipes) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: April 30, 2024
ISBN: 9780593426654
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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