A fresh tale that often buzzes with creativity while delivering a strong message about interconnectedness.
Rabbit’s debut children’s fantasy novel fashions a bizarre world where young leaders emerge, fulfilling prophecies and changing their society.
Twelve-year-old Edge Anomaly resides with her mother, Mana, surrounded by nature in the land of North Crescent, and believes that they are the only Forax—anthropomorphic creatures with characteristics of mammalian animals—in existence. After unexpectedly meeting a birdlike Avian named Jessop, Edge starts to discover new information about her own past. Soon, she learns of a thriving city with strict rules, and roles, for various types of beings. Jessop befriends Edge and introduces her to Xalma, an Amph—the third variety of “sapien,” or creatures who can speak; Amphs begin their lives in water and transform into land-dwelling creatures. After a seemingly minor mishap, North Crescent descends into chaos and Jessop, Edge, and Xalma find themselves right in the thick of it. Edge and her new friends embark on a mission to restore harmony to their world, and along the way, they encounter hive-mind Insects, an omniscient being, and a Resistance group that counts the science-minded Mana as a member. Rabbit’s offbeat novel escorts readers into a world with linked, volatile relationships between various individuals and groups. Tween fantasy fans will quickly find themselves hooked as the drama and action rapidly unfold in the first few chapters. Strong narration, detailed description, and ample dialogue combine to establish a rich fictional world, whose minute details will force impatient young readers to slow down and make connections. At times, however, unnecessary backstory disrupts the narrative, and the inconsistent pacing makes it feel disjointed. Near the end, however, the intensity increases and the pacing appealingly quickens. As the flawed relationships of Crescent Island collapse, readers may see parallels in real-life human relationships and explore similar environmental concerns. The ending provides temporary respite from the action but leaves the future of Crescent Island open for possible future installments.
A fresh tale that often buzzes with creativity while delivering a strong message about interconnectedness.Pub Date: June 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-77-772781-9
Page Count: 332
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: July 29, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem.
A middle schooler struggles to adjust after moving to an idyllic Massachusetts town.
Trish Das is at a crossroads. Not only is the 12-year-old unhappy that her family has moved yet again due to her mother’s cardiology career, she also has to try out for a new baseball team. The fact that one of her new teammates is a former archrival further complicates matters. Math prodigy Ben Messina went head-to-head against fellow math whiz Trish at last spring’s Math Puzzlers Championship. When Trish emerged victorious, Ben was stunned. The two get closer when the team’s mysterious pregame snacks start making everyone play better while also causing magical side effects during games. Equally surprising are the cryptic puzzle booklets Trish and Ben receive in the mail that lead them to even more wins. But as the puzzles get harder to solve, the risk of failing to do so increases. Alternating between Trish’s and Ben’s perspectives, LaRocca’s novel—a companion to 2019’s Midsummer’s Mayhem—is a Much Ado About Nothing homage that explores parental expectations, complicated friendships, and teamwork. The protagonists’ love of problem-solving shines through, and the puzzles themselves are clearly explained. As a third-generation Indian American, Trish also has moving conversations about the circumstances that led her grandparents to emigrate and how those decisions still impact their lives. Ben is implied White. Final illustrations not seen.
A moving tale of baseball, magic, and former rivals who come together to solve a problem. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: June 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1101-8
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Review Posted Online: March 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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