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
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
An entertaining and atmospheric, though sometimes clumsy, exploration of the true cost of beauty.
In this retelling of a classic, a drama student’s obsession with beauty leads her down a dark—and possibly deadly—path.
Eighteen-year-old Penny Paxton is beginning her first year at Dorian Drama Academy in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she hopes to follow in her starlet mother’s footsteps—and earn the love that her mother has never seemed to offer. At Dorian, Penny is mentored by Royal Shakespeare Company legend Orlagh Camran, who makes her the compelling offer of a portrait by the Masked Painter, a mysterious artist with the ability to gift his subjects everlasting youth and beauty. But shortly after Penny’s portrait is complete, several of the Masked Painter’s subjects are found murdered. Fearing that she’s made a terrible mistake and may become the next victim, Penny, who’s gay, begins to investigate the murders with the help of an unlikely ally. As she attempts to uncover the truth surrounding the Masked Painter and the murders, she’s forced to reckon with her own toxic obsession with beauty. This chilling, atmospheric novel, inspired by The Picture of Dorian Gray, is entertaining and full of twists, though some of the reveals feel contrived and some questions are left unanswered. The plot unravels at a leisurely pace but eventually builds to an action-packed (if somewhat convoluted) conclusion. Most characters are cued white.
An entertaining and atmospheric, though sometimes clumsy, exploration of the true cost of beauty. (content note, author’s note, bonus scene) (Fantasy thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9781250346797
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
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