An exciting fantasy tale, full of whimsy and pathos.
In Franco’s YA novel, a group of magical teenagers embark on a journey to correct the course of a disrupted prophecy of the end times.
When teenage demigod Liam Hale receives a letter from his deceased mother, Bree, he sets off to find her—encouraged by the fact that was it delivered by Titan, a bird that he also thought was dead. A hopeful Liam follows Titan into the night, much to the dismay of his friends Benji, a mage apprentice; and Ada, who’s able to practice magic, despite not having a magical family heritage. Ada confesses to Benji that she manipulated time in an initially successful but ultimately failed attempt to save their friend Chiara, whom the evil Rachael Winifred murdered. Ada’s interference caused the House of the Living and the House of the Dead to mix and disrupted an ancient prophecy. According to the prophecy, Leroy Winifred, the former Keeper of the Seven Wonders, would have two sons: “One would generate chaos and one salvation.” The chaotic son, Montgomery Winifred (Rachael’s father), is preparing to seize power after Armageddon. When Liam reunites with his semi-resurrected mother, she tells him that their friend, Andrew McCormick, is Leroy’s first (and secret) son, who’s foretold to save the Megaverse. Montgomery, Bree says, knows this, which puts McCormick in danger. Liam and Bree rejoin Ada, Benji, and Liam’s other friends, witches Zac and Zoe. They, along with another witch named Bruno Gonzales and a druid named Sarah Hart, embark on a perilous journey to save McCormick. This second installment of Franco’s fantasy trilogy is packed with thrilling action sequences, engaging characters, fantastical beasts, and sky-high stakes. The author’s passion for fantasy is palpable, particularly in her highly detailed worldbuilding, which blends classic genre conventions with modern technology, including arcade games and online chatrooms. The prose can be redundant at times: “Benji’s face contorted into a perplexed expression, a question mark forming in his mind. He tried to make sense of Ada’s words, searching for clarity.” Also, extended exposition sometimes slows the pace. Still, the novel remains entertaining throughout.
An exciting fantasy tale, full of whimsy and pathos.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2023
ISBN: 9786500663563
Page Count: 294
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: March 31, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet if muddled tale of the magic of Appalachia.
A teenage witch goes up against the evil king of the mountain to save a cursed village.
Witch-in-training Verity Vox has spent a year apiece in different villages, helping in any way she can as she learns her art. When it’s time to move on, she receives a sign that shows her where to go next. When the latest sign appears in the form of a note begging for help that floats down on a leaf, she’s eager for the challenge. Verity winds up in Foxfire, a village in the Appalachian mountains that’s been magically cut off from the rest of the world for years, leaving its people close to starvation. The root of their suffering is a man they know as Earl, who lives in the hills and strikes deals with the townspeople that ultimately cause crops to wither, folks to disappear, and the only bridge out of the valley to crumble. Verity is determined to change the villagers’ fortunes, but to do so she’ll have to face off against not just Earl but the ancient power of the mountains itself. Loosely based on the Germanic Erlking legend and told in a voice reminiscent of folktales, the story features a queer romance and a cast that presents white. The convoluted magic system undercuts the strong themes of reciprocity, poverty, and privilege, but Appalachian readers will instantly recognize home.
A sweet if muddled tale of the magic of Appalachia. (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 5, 2025
ISBN: 9798890032706
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: May 30, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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