A pulse-quickening, soul-aching, and truly satisfying end to the cycle.
The next generation of Chicome leaders must unite to determine the fate of the empire in the epic climax of the Age of the Seventh Sun trilogy.
If Mayana and Ahkin had hoped their mere survival of the harrowing journey through Xibalba would be enough to guarantee their happily-ever-after, they were sadly mistaken. From the moment they leave the horrors of the underworld, they are thrust into an empire and a world in turmoil. Old friends and new allies from across the kingdoms must lay aside old rivalries and unite against their common foe. Amid the fast-paced adventures, frequent narrow escapes, and heated skirmishes, Forbes takes the time to dive more deeply into the motivations behind each character’s choices. She even turns a sympathetic lens on Metzi, Ahkin’s traitorous twin, whose decisions have been motivated by her own feelings of entrapment by the traditions and expectations of the regime even as she ascends to claim the throne of the Chicome Empire. While an epic battle worthy of the high-fantasy tradition provides the climactic moment, the intergenerational traumas, secrets, and efforts to control through fear that are broken down in the more intimate spaces between the action provide the catalyst for change upon which the fates of the empire and humanity hinge. This is a page-turner from start to finish, with something for all devoted readers of the series to enjoy in its conclusion.
A pulse-quickening, soul-aching, and truly satisfying end to the cycle. (map, royal families) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Feb. 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-982546-11-3
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Blackstone
Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2022
IN THE NEWS
A great read offering entertainment, encouragement, and plenty to reflect upon.
A gay teen contends with time travel—and homophobia through the decades.
All Cuban American Luis wants is to be prom king with his boyfriend, but tiny upstate New York boarding school Antic Springs Academy, with its strict, Christian code of conduct, won’t even let them hold hands in public. After a disastrous prom committee meeting at which his attempt to make the event welcoming of queer couples is rejected by the principal, Luis gets quite literally knocked into the past—specifically, ASA in the year 1985. There he meets Chaz, a Black student who attended the school at the same time as Luis’ parents and who died under mysterious circumstances after being bullied for his sexuality. Luis now faces a choice between changing the past to help Chaz and preserving his own future existence. Fortunately, he has Ms. Silverthorn, a Black English teacher and beloved mentor, who offers him support in both timelines. The narrative explores the impacts of homophobia and being closeted, remaining optimistic without shying away from the more brutal aspects. Luis is a multifaceted character with an engaging voice whose flaws are confronted and examined throughout. The solid pacing and pleasant, fluid prose make this a page-turner. Luis’ boyfriend is cued as Chinese American, and his best friend is nonbinary; there is some diversity in ethnicity and sexuality in background characters, although the school is predominantly White.
A great read offering entertainment, encouragement, and plenty to reflect upon. (author's note) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5476-0710-5
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Will appeal to fans of fast-moving fantasy adventures.
Pledged to each other since childhood, Adraa and Jatin navigate the complex politics of their respective kingdoms.
Adraa is the heir to Belwar, and while powerful in most types of magic, she has yet to take the royal ceremony to prove her competency in all nine forms and, with it, her right to someday rule. With half its population Untouched by the Gods—unable to use magic—Belwar struggles with inequities between the Touched and Untouched, reminiscent of societal class divisions. Adraa’s strong sense of duty to her people leads her to fight against the corruption within her kingdom. Jatin, heir to their more magical neighbor Naupure, has spent years polishing his nine colors of magic at the academy, away from the realities of ruling. He and Adraa compare their magical prowess and progress through letters. When Jatin finally leaves the academy, a series of mishaps results in both of them hiding their true identities even as they grow closer in their fight against a ruthless gang. This intricate world with magic-fueled, action-packed fight scenes and snarky, colloquial banter is loosely infused with Asian Indian cultural references. The story also discusses questions of gender inequality, freedom, self-worth, and identity. Adraa and Jatin both have black hair; in contrast to the cover image, the text makes clear that Adraa is very dark-skinned while Jatin has lighter brown skin.
Will appeal to fans of fast-moving fantasy adventures. (deities and their powers, author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 17, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-593-12421-5
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Aug. 27, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
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