For nostalgic fantasy fans only.
In the second volume of what is now a blatant Tolkien pastiche—following A Flame in the North (2024)—a young wisewoman and her loyal shield-maiden grope for their roles in a looming conflict with Evil.
Solveig, a human magic-worker with exceptionally rare elemental powers, and her sworn protector, Arneior, are at first captives and then guests in the hidden Elder (read: elven) city of Laeliquaende, or Waterstone, finding refuge after many travails. Solveig believes that their Elder companion, Aeredh, intends to take the Jewel (read: Silmaril) that the king of Laeliquaende keeps in a locked tower so that Solveig can use it (somehow) against the Enemy, the evil eldest son of the Allmother. She does not wish to do that, but she’s also fairly angry when Aeredh reveals that he doesn’t intend for her or the Jewel to be used against the Enemy: He simply wants to keep both of them in the city so the Enemy doesn’t get them for himself. Since the book is entitled The Fall of Waterstone, it’s not a spoiler to reveal that things don’t go as planned. Saintcrow does draw on the Norse sagas, the same source material that Tolkien did, but also freely helps herself to Tolkien’s original work, mainly the Silmarillion (specifically, the stories that would later be published separately as Beren and Lúthien, 2017, and The Fall of Gondolin, 2018) but also a fair bit of The Lord of the Rings (e.g., desperate chases through the wilderness and a relationship between a father and his sons that bears a strong resemblance to that of Denethor and his sons Boromir and Faramir). Solveig and Arneior—who are appealing characters—are seemingly unique to Saintcrow’s work, while other characters are considerably less so. And despite these significant borrowings, very little happens to drive the story along in any interesting way. At this point, the wider plot seems to be meeting new people, spending a little time with them, and then they and/or their homes are destroyed. Unlike in Tolkien, no real large-scale resistance seems to be going on. High fantasy involving a battle against an enemy who is evil just for the sake of embracing evil was terribly popular in the late 20th century; these days, most readers prefer something more nuanced.
For nostalgic fantasy fans only.Pub Date: June 11, 2024
ISBN: 9780316440530
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Orbit
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
A beautiful meditation on queer identity against a supernatural backdrop.
Three women deal very differently with vampirism in Schwab’s era-spanning follow-up to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (2020).
In 16th-century Spain, Maria seduces a wealthy viscount in an attempt to seize whatever control she can over her own life. It turns out that being a wife—even a wealthy one—is just another cage, but then a mysterious widow offers Maria a surprising escape route. In the 19th century, Charlotte is sent from her home in the English countryside to live with an aunt in London when she’s found trying to kiss her best friend. She’s despondent at the idea of marrying a man, but another mysterious widow—who has a secret connection to Maria’s widow from centuries earlier—appears and teaches Charlotte that she can be free to love whomever she chooses, if she’s brave enough. In 2019, Alice’s memories of growing up in Scotland with her mercurial older sister, Catty, pull her mind away from her first days at Harvard University. And though she doesn’t meet any mysterious widows, Alice wakes up alone after a one-night stand unable to tolerate sunlight, sporting two new fangs, and desperate to drink blood. Horrified at her transformation, she searches Boston for her hookup, who was the last person she remembers seeing before she woke up as a vampire. Schwab delicately intertwines the three storylines, which are compelling individually even before the reader knows how they will connect. Maria, Charlotte, and Alice are queer women searching for love, recognition, and wholeness, growing fangs and defying mortality in a world that would deny them their very existence. Alice’s flashbacks to Catty are particularly moving, and subtly play off themes of grief and loneliness laid out in the historical timelines.
A beautiful meditation on queer identity against a supernatural backdrop.Pub Date: June 10, 2025
ISBN: 9781250320520
Page Count: 544
Publisher: Tor
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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