A complex mythological adventure that suffers from its length and shallow characterization.
A girl’s prophecy-driven journey through the landscape of Norse mythology continues in this sequel to 2023’s Ansuz, translated from Danish.
Clairvoyant Anna’s giant wolf, Monster, reappears from the gods’ world on the verge of death, bearing a dire warning. The ruler of Hrafnheim, Ragnara, has captured Anna’s sister, Serén, and intends to capture Anna, too, because of the prophecy linking Anna’s blood to Ragnara’s downfall. Rather than wait for the danger to find her, Anna makes her way to Hrafnheim through an ill-fated deal, is captured upon her arrival, and escapes with a soldier named Rorik. Anna embarks on an epic quest, experiences violent visions of death, and navigates an important case of mistaken identity to rescue Serén from her sacrificial fate before Ragnarök begins. The expansive worldbuilding and intricate web of coinciding storylines are fairly smoothly plotted with few expository sections, although the story feels overlong and confusing at times. Those interested in the myriad Norse mythological details woven throughout will be satisfied, and the glossary of people, places, and things is extremely helpful. But even though the central mysteries are compelling, the individual characters are rather flat and read more like adults than teens. The story is weakened by some troubling content around questions of consent in a sexual relationship, the presentation of a transgender character, and a reference to “normal skin color.” Most characters present white.
A complex mythological adventure that suffers from its length and shallow characterization. (translator’s note) (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781646900275
Page Count: 590
Publisher: Arctis Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024
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
A fresh, arresting entry in the vampire genre that revels in violent, bloody delights.
An orphaned teenager tries to connect her sister’s disappearance to their family’s decadeslong relationship with vampires.
Nineteen-year-old Kidan Adane wants nothing to do with her family’s horrifying rules and traditions, which stipulate that Kidan and her sister, June, who are Black girls of Ethiopian heritage, must honor soul-binding contracts with dranaics, or vampires. After their parents died, the sisters were placed in foster care with Mama Anoet. For years, Kidan had thought they were safe from evil—until Silia, their maternal aunt, unexpectedly died, and June and Kidan became the last two living members of House Adane. When June is abducted in the middle of the night by an unknown assailant, Kidan traces the clues to Uxlay University, where worthy leaders are taught how to protect a hierarchical society in which humans and vampires harmoniously coexist. Kidan believes that June was taken by Susenyos Sagad, the formidable vampire who’s bound to her family’s bloodline. As she dives deeper into this cruel new world, the line between her hatred of Susenyos and her growing fascination with him begins to blur. Debut author Girma’s trilogy opener offers a richly detailed, sweepingly imaginative narrative that artfully explores the dark heart of desire, rage, and loss through expansive worldbuilding. Kidan’s powerful characterization is layered, and her journey toward the truth has been crafted with a cinematic eye.
A fresh, arresting entry in the vampire genre that revels in violent, bloody delights. (map, content warning) (Fantasy. 15-adult)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9780316581448
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
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