by Kelly Creagh ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 28, 2015
A romantic, hard-fought conclusion that should please fans.
The conclusion to the gothic paranormal-romance trilogy started in Nevermore (2010).
The last time Isobel saw Varen, in Enshadowed (2012), he nearly killed her; technically, she temporarily died of her injuries on the operating table. Lilith still has Varen wrapped up in her twisted lies, turning him against Isobel—who in spite of everything still loves Varen. Although Varen is lost to the dreamworld, he’s still blurring the lines between it and reality, to dangerous ends that suit Lilith too well. Through a long string of action sequences in atmospheric dream settings, Isobel learns even more about the nature of the dreamworld and nightmarish Nocs, and her love for Varen is tested. Creagh’s prose is still slow-paced and lush to the point of occasionally feeling overwritten, but this time around the story structure is well-supported by the placement of action and story-driving tension—especially in some surprise betrayals and twists. In the end, the question is whether Isobel can save Varen from his own inner demons and self-destructive tendencies—the very vulnerabilities that allowed Lilith access to him in the first place. Throughout, the real-life consequences of actions—especially for loved ones oblivious of the supernatural happenings—ground the story and add extra stakes. The denouement gives the ending extra weight.
A romantic, hard-fought conclusion that should please fans. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)Pub Date: July 28, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4424-3627-5
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
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by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
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
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by Rebecca Ross ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2023
Ideal for readers seeking perspectives on war, with a heavy dash of romance and touch of fantasy.
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New York Times Bestseller
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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