A sharply-written, moving tale that weaves together epic adventure and genuine heart in equal measure.
In Himeda’s YA fantasy novel, a young boy with powerful gifts studies under ancient masters only to discover that there are those who would do anything to see him fail.
The second installment in the Bardic Isles series picks up with protagonist Kaelin almost a year after the previous book’s events—he’s now ready to embark on a new adventure by studying music under four masters. He heads first to the island of Eyrie to work with Master Talan, where he runs into Bard Tyrel—who takes an instant disliking to the young apprentice, believing Kaelin is a fraud. When Master Talan’s tuning fork goes missing, it is found in Kaelin’s bag during a search despite the boy’s professed innocence. This incident leads to a trial that could ultimately expel Kaelin from the Bardic Order. As he begins to fall into despair over the possibility of losing everything he holds dear, Master Flutist Marek reminds Kaelin, “[the verdict] may take your instruments away from you, as well as your robe and your Master…But what it can’t do is plug you with anger, resentment, or hatred. Only you can do that. You alone have the power to destroy yourself.” As Kaelin prepares to meet his fate, he also wrestles with the increasingly strong pull of the Bardic Mountain, which now haunts his sleep with visions. Himeda once again constructs a world with unique musical magic and three-dimensional characters who immediately endear themselves to readers. Important themes of friendship, honor, and staying true to oneself are made very clear—in fact, some readers may occasionally feel hit over the head with these lessons—but Kaelin’s coming-of-age story is a genuine pleasure to follow as he grapples with right and wrong in an increasingly muddled world (the book ends on a genuinely shocking cliffhanger). Through it all, Himeda’s depiction of music as a magical force for change will likely inspire budding musicians of all ages.
A sharply-written, moving tale that weaves together epic adventure and genuine heart in equal measure.Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781959900030
Page Count: 395
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
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
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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