Well-drawn characters and playful twists keep this thriller fully charged.
This YA SF novel features a teen who must halt a virus that will kill two-thirds of humanity.
In Silver Oak, Maryland, Alice Sherman is a high school junior enjoying lunch near her campus basketball court. With her is Archie, her brother, a senior and science prodigy who likes equations more than his fellow students. Alice has been Archie’s one true friend since their mother left six years ago. Alice is about to catch up with Lalana Bunyasarn, her best friend, when a sudden “streak of electricity zaps through” her head. The agony intensifies until a Voice enters Alice’s mind, asking her, “Do you want this pain to stop?” The Voice then instructs her to go up to Bandit Sakda, a classmate playing basketball, and say that she loves him. Bandit is a beautiful Thai boy who’s talented and arrogant. Strangely, the Voice calls her Malice and says not to fall for him because “it’ll only make what you have to do later harder.” Eventually, Alice learns that the Voice belongs to someone from 10 years in the future who needs help saving humanity. A virus will be created by a person Alice knows that will wipe out two-thirds of the world population. Following the Voice’s directions can save everyone—except the person Alice is ordered to kill. Dunn’s (Star-Crossed, 2018, etc.) latest YA adventure offers increasingly tantalizing twists that gleam in succession like nested matryoshka dolls. Alice will charm readers with her quirks, especially her devotion to Chris Hemsworth of Marvel’s Avengers films. Tension builds as characters in the large cast, including crushworthy Zeke Cain and the brilliant Cristela Ruiz, become potential targets for Alice’s mission. Details about Thai culture add a splendid dimension to the narrative; for example, Bandit is pronounced “bun-dit” and means “one who is wise.” While the notion of a high school killer may not sit well with some, the author doesn’t use the device lightly. Her book takes a strong anti-bullying stance, doing so through an entertaining narrative that doesn’t resort to preaching. The author’s heart and craftiness make a sequel welcome.
Well-drawn characters and playful twists keep this thriller fully charged.Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-64063-412-1
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Another Camelot tale from the author of I Am Mordred brings the character of Morgan le Fay center stage and unfolds a story that is both new and steeped in the traditions of Arthurian legends. Filling the often-overlooked gap between Arthur’s birth and ascension to the throne, Morgan emerges both as a young woman and as a member of the Fays. From the age of six, she slowly begins to learn of the forces that she has inside of herself. What she must discover, in order to truly have power, is how to control them. Springer delicately and seamlessly challenges the reader’s preconceived notions of traditional heroes, heroines, and villains of this story. Merlin borders on villainous; he has chosen the darker half of Fay magic. In the tradition of Camelot, Morgan is a passionate character, and her emotions, whether love or hatred, overflow with an abundance that overpowers her. Her inability to control her passions—her love for her childhood friend, anger towards her mother, hatred of Merlin—closes her off to the rational knowledge of the Fays and eventually leads to her demise. Anyone familiar with the Arthurian tales will appreciate this new feminine dimension. It fits neatly within the larger context while remaining a complete story unto itself. Perfect for the reader who would love, but is not quite ready for, The Mists of Avalon, this is magical storytelling, richly inspired and accomplished. (Fiction. YA)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-399-23451-9
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Boilerplate fantasy, with characters too often indistinguishable and, later, the deflating disclosure that everything that...
A fantasy venture from the author of the Miles Vorkosigan military-family science fiction series (A Civil Campaign, 1999, etc.). Warrior-diplomat-courtier Cazaril, having been sold into slavery following a disastrous military campaign, finally makes his way home to Valenda after many taxing adventures. To his surprise, he’s offered the position of secretary-tutor to “Royesse” (Princess) Iselle and her companion, Lady Betriz. With the monarch, Orico, ailing, running things are the evil dy Jironal brothers, Chancellor Martous and army chief General Dondo (though it may be a while before readers realize there are two of them. One, or both, betrayed Cazaril). Orico’s indisposition stems from the Curse of Chalion, which sooner or later dooms all members of the royal family. Martous, meanwhile, persuades weak-willed Orico that the horrid Dondo must wed Iselle; appalled, Iselle pleads and shrieks to no avail. Cazaril, sworn to protect and serve Iselle, cannot permit this. But his attempt to use death magic—Cazaril’s death in exchange for Dondo’s—ends bizarrely, with Cazaril still alive, thanks to Iselle’s fervent prayers to the Lady, but Dondo’s soul bound to a death-demon and encysted in Cazaril’s entrails as a tumor! Furthermore, he now finds he has otherworldly vision and has become a living saint!
Boilerplate fantasy, with characters too often indistinguishable and, later, the deflating disclosure that everything that happens is some sort of divine plot. Overall, no better than average, but probably adequate for Bujold fans.Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2001
ISBN: 0-380-97901-2
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Morrow/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2001
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