A triumphant and immensely satisfying sequel.
A likable cast of characters comes together to fight a cruel leader—and something even more evil.
In this follow-up to His Face Is the Sun (2025), readers are drawn back into the world of Khetara, where familiar characters face new trials and tribulations. Meryamun has seized the throne after assassinating his father, and he rules with a brutal hand. His sister, Sita, escapes the palace and Meryamun’s tyranny, finding refuge with Karim, who, after being slain by the resurrected ancient pharaoh Setnakht, is miraculously restored to life. Together, Sita and Karim—aided by the Hudjefa, a secretive desert tribe—vow to stop Setnakht from plunging the kingdom into chaos. As they travel together, their connection deepens into something more, raising the stakes in their already daunting journey. Meanwhile, Rae has found herself at the head of a rebellion, determined to free her imprisoned father, while Neff serves as a priestess to Meryamun, secretly plotting his downfall in accordance with a prophecy that will unite them all as she delves into magic with the help of Meryamun’s brother, Kenna. This sparkling second entry in the trilogy immerses readers even more deeply in the rich tapestry of the world of Khetara. The action is breathtaking and often cinematic, making the book nearly impossible to put down. Both returning fans and newcomers will find much to enjoy, although familiarity with the first book provides a richer experience.
A triumphant and immensely satisfying sequel. (series guide, author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
ISBN: 9781464224621
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2026
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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