by Laurie McKay ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2015
A promising new series gets off to a shaky start; here’s hoping subsequent volumes smooth out the ride.
Determined to gain both his father’s approval and the title of Elite Paladin, 12-year-old Prince Caden embarks on a quest to slay a dragon—and ends up in a different and very strange universe.
Alas, a mysterious spell thwarts his plans almost instantaneously, sending him, his horse and Brynne, a former playmate and budding dark (but not evil) sorceress, to Asheville, North Carolina. The young prince quickly discovers that middle school can be as dangerous as any quest, particularly when the math teacher is an evil tyrant, the lunch ladies are witches, and the placement counselor is a dragon. Caden and Brynne land in foster care, where they make like-minded friends who will, they hope, help them defeat the resident evil and return home. While primarily a lighthearted coming-of-age fantasy, the book offers surprising moments of depth focusing on familial relationships or the lack thereof. Unfortunately, while the plot is entertaining, there are missteps. The characters frequently seem to know more than they should, and the narrative is weighted down by unnecessary back story. Finally, the mystery is revealed too early, robbing the narrative of energy. While perhaps not enough to sink this new series entirely, the cumulative effect does diminish its power.
A promising new series gets off to a shaky start; here’s hoping subsequent volumes smooth out the ride. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-230843-6
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
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by Laurie McKay
by Annie Matthew ; developed by Kobe Bryant ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 24, 2021
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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by Annie Matthew ; developed by Kobe Bryant
by Rajani LaRocca ; illustrated by Chloe Dijon ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 15, 2021
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem.
A middle schooler struggles to adjust after moving to an idyllic Massachusetts town.
Trish Das is at a crossroads. Not only is the 12-year-old unhappy that her family has moved yet again due to her mother’s cardiology career, she also has to try out for a new baseball team. The fact that one of her new teammates is a former archrival further complicates matters. Math prodigy Ben Messina went head-to-head against fellow math whiz Trish at last spring’s Math Puzzlers Championship. When Trish emerged victorious, Ben was stunned. The two get closer when the team’s mysterious pregame snacks start making everyone play better while also causing magical side effects during games. Equally surprising are the cryptic puzzle booklets Trish and Ben receive in the mail that lead them to even more wins. But as the puzzles get harder to solve, the risk of failing to do so increases. Alternating between Trish’s and Ben’s perspectives, LaRocca’s novel—a companion to 2019’s Midsummer’s Mayhem—is a Much Ado About Nothing homage that explores parental expectations, complicated friendships, and teamwork. The protagonists’ love of problem-solving shines through, and the puzzles themselves are clearly explained. As a third-generation Indian American, Trish also has moving conversations about the circumstances that led her grandparents to emigrate and how those decisions still impact their lives. Ben is implied White. Final illustrations not seen.
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: June 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1101-8
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
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by Rajani LaRocca ; illustrated by Neha Rawat
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by Rajani LaRocca & Chris Baron ; illustrated by Sam Dawson
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