A richly crafted fantasy that explores the sacrifices one is willing to make for love.
Even though she doesn’t believe in him, Rose Lin Fairchild is chosen by the god of Death to serve him.
Abandoned as an infant in New York City, pale, brown-haired Rose battled loneliness until she met Laine, who became her first true friend. When a robber stabs Laine, a desperate Rose strikes a deal: She’ll pledge herself to Raven, the god of Death, as a Harbinger, or mortal assistant, in exchange for Laine’s life. Although Rose hates claiming souls, she continues to obey her patron’s orders because it keeps Laine alive. Life takes an even darker turn when Raven’s Regent, his foremost Harbinger, is murdered—and Raven nominates Rose as his successor. In order to be confirmed, Rose must pass three deadly tests from Thorn, the god of Lies. Each obstacle forces her to examine her relationship with Raven as well her complicated feelings for her rival, Thorn’s handsome Harbinger, Étienne Beauchard, who’s from Paris. But as they begin to develop feelings for each other, Rose must decide whether she’s willing to follow Raven’s orders if that means harming Étienne. Lu weaves an intricate universe in which immortals throughout history have secretly lived among humans, using an atmospheric London setting to highlight the gods’ desperate reliance on mortal energy. While the vast cast of characters can be difficult to track, the book’s vivid imagery and striking emotional beats deliver a compelling narrative.
A richly crafted fantasy that explores the sacrifices one is willing to make for love. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
ISBN: 9781250381590
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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