Despite the original premise, a book let down by limited exploration of the subjects raised.
A time-travel novel with a gymnastics twist, adult author McCabe’s debut YA novel follows high school athlete Elizabeth Arlington in her quest to find answers about her biological parentage.
After living with unresolved questions that her older, widowed mom is cagey about, a secret DNA test reveals to Elizabeth that her ancestry is 70% European and 30% Han Chinese, surprising her, since neither of her blond parents appear to have Asian heritage. Zach, Elizabeth’s best friend, convinces her to try using a mysterious old watch they’d stumbled across that he believes is a time machine. Elizabeth ends up cycling through dates programmed into the watch, which are notable in part for their importance to international gymnastics or to Elizabeth’s biological mother, an Olympic hopeful. McCabe portrays each interconnected generation of women as appealingly resourceful, if understandably distressed by their circumstances, and their grit propels much of the story. Once Elizabeth has mostly unraveled her initial mystery, a new obstacle appears, and Elizabeth must race through time to prevent a family disaster. The antagonist’s motivations, however, feel murky and her personality, mutable according to narrative necessity. The author raises questions about adoption and its potential for trauma but does not examine its impact on Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s small-town Pennsylvania community is largely white; her feelings about her newly discovered biracial background are also not addressed.
Despite the original premise, a book let down by limited exploration of the subjects raised. (Science fiction. 12-17)Pub Date: July 25, 2023
ISBN: 9780744309362
Page Count: 368
Publisher: CamCat Books
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
Despite the stale fat-to-curvy pattern, compelling world building with a Southern European, pseudo-Christian feel,...
Adventure drags our heroine all over the map of fantasyland while giving her the opportunity to use her smarts.
Elisa—Princess Lucero-Elisa de Riqueza of Orovalle—has been chosen for Service since the day she was born, when a beam of holy light put a Godstone in her navel. She's a devout reader of holy books and is well-versed in the military strategy text Belleza Guerra, but she has been kept in ignorance of world affairs. With no warning, this fat, self-loathing princess is married off to a distant king and is embroiled in political and spiritual intrigue. War is coming, and perhaps only Elisa's Godstone—and knowledge from the Belleza Guerra—can save them. Elisa uses her untried strategic knowledge to always-good effect. With a character so smart that she doesn't have much to learn, body size is stereotypically substituted for character development. Elisa’s "mountainous" body shrivels away when she spends a month on forced march eating rat, and thus she is a better person. Still, it's wonderfully refreshing to see a heroine using her brain to win a war rather than strapping on a sword and charging into battle.
Despite the stale fat-to-curvy pattern, compelling world building with a Southern European, pseudo-Christian feel, reminiscent of Naomi Kritzer's Fires of the Faithful (2002), keeps this entry fresh. (Fantasy. 12-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-06-202648-4
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes.
What happens to the world after the dust from a revolution has settled?
Friends Annie and Lee were children from very different circles when Atreus killed Lee’s father, dragonlord Leon Stormscourge, ending the uprising on the bloodiest day in Callipolis’ history. For too long the dragonriders held all the power while their people starved and lived in fear. Nine years later, a new generation of dragonriders is emerging, children selected and trained on merit, not bloodlines. Their dragons are finally mature enough for them to compete for Firstrider, a position of power that can give Lee back a small part of what his family lost. However, not only is Lee competing against Annie, but rumors are circulating that some of the royal family have survived and have dragons of their own. Everyone will have to make a choice: Restore the old regime, support the First Protector and the new caste system he created, or look for a new way, no matter what the cost. From the beginning, this book pulls readers in with political intrigue and action. What keeps them invested, however, are the complex relationships between many cast members. Choices are complex, and the consequences for all could be deadly. The world is well fleshed out and believable. Annie and Lee are light skinned; secondary characters are diverse, and race is a nonissue in this world.
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes. (author’s note) (Fantasy.14-17)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-51821-1
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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