A gripping, gorgeously written debut that refuses to play it safe.
In a kingdom where wielding magic is treason, a girl must conceal her dangerous truth—or risk her life.
Lady Alissa Paine, the olive-brown-skinned daughter of the ruler of the province of Vereen, lives in the kingdom of Daradon, where Wholeborns (those without magic) hunt Wielders (those born with powerful, sentient forces called specters). The Capewell family is infamous for producing those Wholeborns known as Hunters, though Alissa’s father—whose mother was a Capewell—is protected by his title from having to go after Wielders himself. Few know Alissa’s deadly secret: She’s a Wielder, too. Tradition demands she swear loyalty to the crown at the end of this year’s Rose Season, her 18th. Her father, fearful that her identity will be discovered, encourages her to retreat from the social events of the season. Despite this, Alissa is kidnapped by Wielders and thrust into the center of a political game—one with high stakes that could cost her everything. Azar’s trilogy opener is a deft blend of romantic tension, political intrigue, and magical suspense. The writing is lyrical and emotionally evocative, exploring themes of identity, persecution, and the fine line between love and betrayal. The pace quickens after a quiet start, and Azar deftly delivers a story set in a multiracial world that feels both intimate and epic. Alissa’s journey is heart-wrenching and complex, particularly as she navigates relationships.
A gripping, gorgeously written debut that refuses to play it safe. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780063427792
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Storytide/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
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
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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