Despite featuring familiar creatures, this series opener delivers solidly entertaining mythmaking.
A teenage princess in a mystical land secretly trains in mortal combat and survival strategies when elves unveil her destiny in liberating her people from dark magic.
Rothman’s heroic fantasy novel is the first chapter in his Prophecy saga, about the Rivertons, a contemporary American family. They accidentally pass through “the veil between worlds,” conveniently close to their house, and find themselves stuck in the magical land of Trimoria. There, all of them (even the family cat) assume legendary roles in a vast struggle of good against evil. But in this kickoff, the spotlight is off the Riverton household and on the natives of Trimoria. Hero Arabelle is the pampered and protected teenage daughter of Honfrion, a nomadic sheikh, and his caravan. In the aftermath of a “demon war” that left much of the planet partitioned off by deadly mist barriers, Honfrion’s people wander Trimoria in thrall to Azazel, a centuries-old dark wizard (who in turn serves an evil elf queen). Headstrong Arabelle, inheriting her mother’s prophetic powers, yearns for more out of life—and she gets it when an attack by a corrupted creature doses her with a venom she must counteract with exercise and other activities. The virtuous, secretive elves (and a godlike being called Seder) inform Arabelle that even with the poison threatening her life, she is crucial to fulfilling a prophecy that will free Trimoria from its diabolical tormentors. But the way is hard and dangerous, and it involves strangers (readers can guess who) coming from somewhere outside. Meanwhile, Azazel, ever on guard for any threat, including unauthorized magic, has his vicious, part-ogre minion Kirag and elite Talon patrols watching for any irregularities. The author adroitly handles genre mainstays like dwarfs, dragons, elves, and warlocks in a manner that will find approval among sword-and-sorcery fans, especially ones in the YA crowd seeking women-fronted material presented in a fairly noncondescending manner. During her adventures, Arabelle has to be rescued from time to time, but she also proves her mettle more than once in this captivating story. Those who enjoy this curtain opener will likely continue for the ride in the next volumes.
Despite featuring familiar creatures, this series opener delivers solidly entertaining mythmaking. (author bio)Pub Date: June 29, 2020
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: Primordial Press
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2020
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
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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