Nonetheless, the likable characters and brisk narrative will undoubtedly lure readers into eagerly anticipating future...
An engaging fantasy sequel marred by middle-book syndrome.
Princess Meglynne is already being groomed for the throne of Trelian, despite her youth, impetuous behavior and increasingly volatile temper. Of greater concern is her magical bond with Jakl, since the dragon arouses fear among her people, and ultimatums from rival kingdoms. Meanwhile, Meg’s best friend Calen is also taking on adult responsibilities among the council of his fellow mages. But when their stronghold comes under attack, the Magistratum ruptures into bitter divisions over ominous prophecies that seem to point directly at Calen. Chapters alternating between Meg and Calen’s viewpoints add depth and breadth to a generic fantasy world, as the two young people attempt to navigate conflicts with those they looked to for protection and support. It is a pleasure to revisit two such appealing protagonists; unfortunately, much of the plot rehashes the first novel, without allowing either character change or growth. Once again, Meg chafes at her royal restrictions, and her impulsive choices lead to disastrous consequences. Calen’s excessive caution and frustration at his mentor’s cryptic methods again inspire him to prove himself, with fateful results. The stakes may be raised, but the terms, the villains and even the romantic triangle are all the same. An abrupt magical “fix” and an out-of-character plot twist may solve the characters’ immediate challenges, but they also set up a maddening cliffhanger.
Nonetheless, the likable characters and brisk narrative will undoubtedly lure readers into eagerly anticipating future installments. Next time, though—more Jakl, please! (Fantasy. 11-16)Pub Date: April 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5062-9
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2012
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BOOK REVIEW
Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.
Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.
Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).
Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic. (Fantasy. 11-13)Pub Date: May 14, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
Ultimately more than a little full of itself, but well-stocked with big themes, inventively spun fairy-tale tropes, and...
Good has won every fairy-tale contest with Evil for centuries, but a dark sorcerer’s scheme to turn the tables comes to fruition in this ponderous closer.
Broadening conflict swirls around frenemies Agatha and Sophie as the latter joins rejuvenated School Master Rafal, who has dispatched an army of villains from Capt. Hook to various evil stepmothers to take stabs (literally) at changing the ends of their stories. Meanwhile, amid a general slaughter of dwarves and billy goats, Agatha and her rigid but educable true love, Tedros, flee for protection to the League of Thirteen. This turns out to be a company of geriatric versions of characters, from Hansel and Gretel (in wheelchairs) to fat and shrewish Cinderella, led by an enigmatic Merlin. As the tale moves slowly toward climactic battles and choices, Chainani further lightens the load by stuffing it with memes ranging from a magic ring that must be destroyed and a “maleficent” gown for Sophie to this oddly familiar line: “Of all the tales in all the kingdoms in all the Woods, you had to walk into mine.” Rafal’s plan turns out to be an attempt to prove that love can be twisted into an instrument of Evil. Though the proposition eventually founders on the twin rocks of true friendship and family ties, talk of “balance” in the aftermath at least promises to give Evil a fighting chance in future fairy tales. Bruno’s polished vignettes at each chapter’s head and elsewhere add sophisticated visual notes.
Ultimately more than a little full of itself, but well-stocked with big themes, inventively spun fairy-tale tropes, and flashes of hilarity. (Fantasy. 11-13)Pub Date: July 21, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-06-210495-3
Page Count: 672
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 25, 2015
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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