This meticulously crafted YA journey will challenge readers’ expectations until the last page.
A human teenager finds herself on a series of alien worlds in this YA adventure.
A 16-year-old girl is trapped in a sandy oasis. There are no people or animals, and she has no memories of how she arrived or of anything else about herself. She does, however, remember a “blue glow coming through a swirling vortex” and sinister whispers. When she tries to explore her surroundings, a strange voice says, “Let us guide you,” but she can’t seem to escape the oasis. She then finds Sidaire, a younger girl who has glowing, emberlike hair and doesn’t seem quite human. Sidaire warns her about a place called the Hollow and about a threatening monster. When the teen dives into a spring in an attempt to escape said creature, she enters a series of underwater caves. She emerges in a new world of forests and mountains. A friendly humanoid named Maetha rescues her from danger, names her Ambrielle, and explains they’re in Anatharia. With no clear way back to Earth, Ambrielle tries to live among Maetha's people, the Kavekkians. They’re a wary group and warn her not to engage with their enemies, the Darterrans. This proves impossible when Ambrielle spies a human among the latter. Cox’s YA novel lives up to its title, keeping the protagonist in a consistent state of bafflement over new developments. He also provides occasionally striking visuals, such as a description of Maetha, who has a light-gray, oblong face and “rust-colored eyes.” Ambrielle encounters more familiar things, as well, including prejudice from the Kavekkians and petty tribalism among the Darterrans. The worldbuilding branches out in surprising ways when the setting moves to the technologically marvelous world of Elyravess. As Ambrielle remembers more details from her previous life, such as her falling-out with her friend Hannah, a fuller emotional journey evolves. Ambrielle also pursues a well-earned romance with Gavian, a teen living with the Darterrans. A superb final moment ensures that fans will return for the sequel.
This meticulously crafted YA journey will challenge readers’ expectations until the last page.Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-578-94488-3
Page Count: 292
Publisher: Silvettica
Review Posted Online: Jan. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
An ode to continuing to fight in dark times that struggles with uneven pacing.
Will-they, won’t-they couple Khalani and Takeshi return in this second series entry, having broken out of Braderhelm Prison in order to save humanity’s future.
To do so, they and the friends who escaped with them will have to travel across the Death-Zone, a post-apocalyptic desert in the Southwest of the “old United States,” to the underground city of Hermes, encountering new enemies along the way. The plot meanders along with the wanderers’ journey, save for some steamy carnal scenes between the leads, until they and their crew are abducted by the Desert Spring, a fringe religious society whose members live in a walled compound. Cornered, the gang agrees to the demand of the Desert Spring’s leaders, who want information from Hermes that will help them beat their enemies, the Sinners. Following the first, drawn-out part of the story, the rest of the novel feels overly stuffed with information and plot points, introducing new civilizations, communities, rebels, gadgets, and evils at such a rapid clip that readers scarcely have time to catch their breath before a harsh, abrupt ending that sets up the trilogy closer. Fans here for the sexually charged romance will be satisfied by electric erotic scenes, and the emotional growth of the two leads will keep some readers engaged with a book that otherwise feels clunky. The first entry described Khalani and Takeshi as “Hispanic” and “East Asian,” respectively.
An ode to continuing to fight in dark times that struggles with uneven pacing. (Dystopian. 16-adult)Pub Date: July 14, 2026
ISBN: 9781464278129
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Bloom Books
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
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