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 worthy second-chance romance.
In this follow-up to 2021’s Better Than the Movies, a 20-year-old college freshman gets a second chance at his dreams.
After the death of his father and his mother’s subsequent physical and emotional disappearance, Wes Bennett left behind all of his plans and the girl he made them with to go home and take care of Sarah, his younger sister. But now, Sarah has graduated, his mom is back on her feet, and by some miracle, Wes has an offer to pitch for UCLA’s baseball team. Liz Buxbaum, the girl he’s always loved, works for the university’s athletic department, taking photos and video of the team for social media, which means that maybe he can have a second chance at love, too. But since Wes left, Liz has made every effort to protect herself from ever feeling that broken again; there’s no room for love, because she doesn’t believe in it anymore. Or she doesn’t want to. This second-chance sports romance includes fake dates, quippy and quirky best friends, real heartache, and the sweet ache of first love. The clever dialogue keeps readers from drowning in the main characters’ emotional push-and-pull. Reading the first novel isn’t necessary for appreciating this one, although knowing the full history between Wes and Liz will only add to the ache and longing readers feel from and for them. Main characters are cued white.
A worthy second-chance romance. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781665947138
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
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