Thoughtful and introspective.
More female-centric meandering through Arthuriana.
The sequel to 2019’s The Guinevere Deception continues to retell in close third-person the story of Guinevere, a magical blank slate with almost no memories of her past and little understanding of herself other than an unshakeable conviction in Arthur, as she tries to “fight like a queen” rather than a witch. The plot holds few surprises, being more a study of Guinevere’s internal landscape peppered with bursts of action slowed by Guinevere’s constant self-doubt. Cipher Guinevere wants to understand herself, but her lack of memory means she has little depth to draw from; she has limited identity beyond the questions she ponders and asks of her world. Happily, those questions revolve around power and nature as well as recurring themes of who and how to be, providing rich intellectual fodder for readers who want a think-y book with few conclusions (although the ending implies they are coming in Volume 3). In this version of Arthur’s legend, magic is chaos and female while Camelot is order and male; the exception to this dichotomy is Merlin, who is never seen directly but whose hand and lack of care drive Arthur’s story and give Guinevere a model of power against which to fight. Guinevere is White; secondary characters are diverse, from those with implied Asian and African parentage to a female Lancelot and a lesbian Isolde, although only Lancelot’s identity is interrogated within the context of Guinevere’s questions.
Thoughtful and introspective. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-525-58171-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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
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