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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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