At least it has hobgoblins.
Yet another half-angel book, this one focuses more on physical combat than on supernatural warfare.
Milayna, 17, has just learned that she’s a demiangel, and she’s angry at her family for keeping the secret from her. Even her best friend already knows all about it. That’s fortunate, because until Milayna turns 18, she will be vulnerable to the demon Azazel, who will try to absorb her powers and conquer the world. Demidemons, many of which populate her high school, threaten her. A goodly number of demiangels also go to her school, and these unite to protect Milayna. Chay, a demiangel with supermodel looks, takes charge of Milayna’s defense and provides romantic heat. Despite the constant mortal danger, Milayna continues going to school and to the mall. To protect her, the team accompanies Milayna everywhere, except when they don’t. Milayna knows taekwondo, and the frequent fight scenes all rely on punches and kicks rather than paranormal abilities. Suspense builds when Milayna’s allies begin to switch sides. Sadly, the childishly angry Milayna doesn’t come across as an attractive character. Pickett does add some comic relief with the hobgoblins that tease Milayna throughout the book, but the arbitrary, unimaginative plotline and the writing style remain resolutely at amateur levels, with, for example, frequent use of one-word sentences to indicate emphasis.
At least it has hobgoblins. (Paranormal suspense. 12-18)Pub Date: March 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-63422-038-5
Page Count: 287
Publisher: Clean Teen
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
An uneven spin-off that will likely appeal to fans of the original franchise.
Readers return to the world of Agrabah from the Disney film Aladdin, this time from the perspective of Princess Jasmine as she faces her biggest challenge yet.
Tragedy strikes Agrabah and the royal family when the sultan is found dead. Even as she grieves her father, Jasmine must worry about her succession to the throne and the growing concerns of a supernatural evil creeping into the kingdom. Though Jasmine feels unprepared to take her father’s place, she accepts her fate. When a challenger emerges and lays claim to the throne, Jasmine must fight to erase everyone’s doubts about a young woman’s ability to reign and take her rightful place as the first sultana. It is interesting to see Agrabah through the perspective of Jasmine and to encounter characters both familiar and new. Monir builds on the Persian-inspired world by giving the new characters Persian names and including nuanced cultural elements. Fighting against long-held traditions and forging a place for women to be equals alongside men are timely themes, and Monir shows Jasmine’s resolve to be a just and suitable leader despite the frightening situations she often encounters. There is a lot of compelling buildup surrounding the mysterious and supernatural elements haunting Jasmine and her world, but the eventual reveal feels confusing and haphazardly patched together.
An uneven spin-off that will likely appeal to fans of the original franchise. (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
ISBN: 9781368048217
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
Too slow to ramp up: Only committed series fans may stick with this one.
Readers return to the supernatural town of Hemlock Falls for more mysteries and monsters.
Winnie Wednesday’s story resumes soon after the events of The Luminaries (2022). Now a local celebrity, Winnie has the social approval she’s lacked for so long, but it doesn’t bring her any closer to solving new questions and mysteries. She’s still the only one who knows about the Whisperer, while everyone else is after a werewolf, but she can at least talk to her friend Mario about tracking the elusive nightmare. Winnie’s grief over a death in the prior novel leads to some creatively morbid turns of phrase, while Jay continues to drink and vape through his anguish. Clues and memories from Winnie’s missing father give her more leads to chase. Her renewed social and school lives are heavily dominated by her simmering relationship with Jay and his blindingly gorgeous abs. The familiar rising mist takes its time to appear, but once it does, dangerous magic and monsters are back in the mix. Watching Winnie doubt her status as a Luminary and repeatedly refer to her life as a “clusterfuck” could make readers impatient to see her kick some butt already. Winnie and Jay are cued white.
Too slow to ramp up: Only committed series fans may stick with this one. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781250194145
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Tor Teen
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
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