An appealing, otherworldly tale set in superlative realms—both real and fantastic.
In this third installment of a YA fantasy series, a teen’s unreliable magic may be the key to rescuing a kingdom threatened by mercenaries.
Peanut, 14, is the new prince of Romatica, or he will be once Queen Quila adopts him. She’ll soon wed Peanut’s uncle Pyck, but not everyone is happy about their impending vows. That’s because Pyck hails from Loorland, which Romatica’s now dead king tried conquering, only for the Looreans to defeat the Romatican army. The general of that vanquished army believes he should marry Quila; either way, he’s got plenty of mercenaries on his side to help seize her throne. Meanwhile, Peanut discovers he can wield magic like his uncle but can’t easily control his apparent power to manipulate gravity. But this ability may come in handy after someone finds a way to get rid of Caspen, “the agent of programmed cell death.” His absence could mean no more death, but the horrible repercussions outweigh the good, especially for a world with feuding soldiers and mercenaries. Peanut, in order to free Caspen from a black hole, must travel to the atom-sized world of Nanosia. Johnson, as always, aptly fuses science with fantasy in this volume. For example, even in the slightly larger Cenozonia, a DNA helix becomes a ladder while apoptosis-inducing factor agents police minuscule worlds. Though much of the story unfolds on regular-sized Earth, those portions are just as entertaining. The general’s obvious unrest slowly builds suspense as he sets his sights on—as Quila puts it—the “queendom” and blatantly threatens Pyck and others. Peanut is, at first, exasperating, as he endlessly complains about his royal attire, with a particular aversion to patent leather shoes. He’s nevertheless sympathetic, especially once the queen’s possible pregnancy seemingly ousts him as Romatica’s prince. Fortunately, the intrepid teen garners courage as the swiftly paced narrative progresses.
An appealing, otherworldly tale set in superlative realms—both real and fantastic.Pub Date: Nov. 29, 2020
ISBN: 979-8-56-722561-5
Page Count: 324
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
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