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NUBIA

THE RECKONING

From the Nubia series , Vol. 2

An ambitious return to a future of promise, danger, and self-discovery that fans of the first volume will enjoy.

With a stronger grasp of their immense power, awakened Nubian teens navigate the inequities of the future as well as threats from the past in this sequel centering Black characters co-authored by actor Epps and author and editor Haynes.

Empath, telepath, and budding telekinetic Uzochi, 16, is revered for his role as a Nubian catalyst, someone expected to amplify and guide the re-emerging abilities of his people in late-21st-century New York City. But even without powers, he sees how much his friends and family rely on him and how much fear his community feels as targets of the wealthy and prejudiced denizens of the Up High. In fact, as Lencho, his powerful, energy-absorbing cousin, makes a home in the ritzy, floating Manhattan neighborhood as a reward for betraying the Nubians living below, it becomes clear that class conflict plus family dysfunction make for an explosive combination in the buildup to another big battle. After a rescue mission to the Up High goes awry for Uzochi and friends, a shocking discovery coincides with Lencho’s being overtaken by an ancient evil that benefits as much from his ambitions and insecurities as from his tremendous powers. The narration alternates between multiple perspectives, reinforcing how this generation of Nubian youth remains burdened by the mistakes of their ancestors and ultimately must forge their own paths forward, for better or worse.

An ambitious return to a future of promise, danger, and self-discovery that fans of the first volume will enjoy. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)

Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023

ISBN: 9780593428689

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Delacorte

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2023

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POWERLESS

From the Powerless Trilogy series , Vol. 1

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

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THE CRUEL PRINCE

From the Folk of the Air series , Vol. 1

Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.

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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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