A strong ending.
This duology closer following 2020’s Goddess in the Machine quickly establishes where Andra and Zhade left off.
Zhade has taken on his brother’s face and Crown to rule their city, while Andra’s working with the Schism on the cryogenically frozen colonists’ rocket. Although readers are dropped back into the rhythm and flavor of the world through heavy use of futuristic dialogue, the intricacies of the worldbuilding are more sparse; disoriented readers would be well served by refreshing themselves on the first installment. In Zhade’s storyline, he struggles to enact his visions for the city and has difficulty working the Crown while angels are going rogue and attacking people. Desperate situations drive him to accept help from people he wouldn’t usually trust. Meanwhile, Andra grapples with her existence as an AI, searching out Dr. Griffin’s secrets and her own purpose as a tool for humanity. Once the story gets moving, layered parallels—between characters, themes, and plotlines—provide a thoughtful, highly rewarding read. Some of the many twists are heavily foreshadowed, but the most impactful are delightfully obvious only in retrospect. The romance between Andra and Zhade is usually backgrounded but serves nicely in keeping the story halves emotionally connected. Incidental diversity—of race (Zhade’s White), sexuality, and ability—is representatively present among the large cast, though the differences and similarities dwelt upon are those between humans and AI. The previous book establishes Andra as biracial (Chinese/White).
A strong ending. (Science fiction. 12-adult)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-984835-95-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: June 10, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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