A surface-level ending to the series.
It’s time to kill the Devil: He has the key to Heaven and a binding promise with the only being who controls that key.
Brielle Atwater-Grey escaped Hell weeks before, and now Lucifer is making his displeasure known. More and more frequently, demons infiltrate Angel City, proving that the Fallen Army doesn’t have the numbers to continue fighting them. Brielle begins an intense training regimen with the archangels to prepare to kill Lucifer, save Raksha, the dark mage who helped her escape Hell, and retrieve Sera, her infinity weapon. Alongside Lincoln, Brielle’s husband of two weeks, her best friend, Shea, Shea’s fiancé, Noah, four archangels, and a cast of other demon gifted and angel blessed people, Brielle fights the waves of demons Lucifer sends to Angel City, battles at Heaven’s gates, and enters Hell itself one last time. This quartet finale unfortunately adds nothing new emotionally to the characters’ arcs. Brielle and Lincoln, both white, are married and in love, and Brielle’s friendships remain important to her—all elements that are told rather than shown. The writing, while action-packed and fast-paced, offers readers very little connection with the characters, whose voices sound alike. The book may be easy to read, but it’s lackluster in its impact: Many moments feel recycled and uninspired, lacking the emotional depth that the more important aspects of the storyline needed.
A surface-level ending to the series. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: June 17, 2025
ISBN: 9781464218958
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Bloom Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
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
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