A lengthy but compelling tale that’s packed with essential fantasy elements.
Hightower offers a YA fantasy trilogy starter that features powerful magic, intricate lore, an evil empire, and an extraordinary quest.
Thirteen-year-old Minna Hunter lives in the modest town of Fennig with her parents and beloved younger sister, Alyn. Although Minna is exceedingly kind, her relationship with the civilians of Fennig is tense; when she was 8, she gained “spirit sight” and was branded as a witch, and she’s been ostracized and feared by those without magic. Minna communicates with magical “land spirits,” which manifest as flitting orbs of light that only she can perceive. This has been declared a crime punishable by death by the corrupt Empire at the heart of this fantasy land. When Alyn gains the same power, she’s kidnapped by the Inquisitors of the Empire. For the first time in her life, Minna takes decisive action and leaves the safety of Fennig to save her sister. She’s eventually accompanied by powerful allies and humble friends on her quest, during which she encounters death, romance, and powerful magic. However, although her story is the driving force of this tale, it is not the only one that will keep readers turning pages; a flood of characters, helpfully summarized in a list, lead captivating adventures of their own—including farmer Agmar Ericson, resistance member Aron Hunter, religious order leader Deirdre Breasal, and Inquisitor Harold Wolfe, among others who are introduced early on. The players cross paths in a sweeping story that culminates in an exhilarating finale. The cast members, though plentiful, are well rounded and often intriguing, and the relationships and dialogue between them are natural and believable. There’s a great deal of worldbuilding in this opening installment, including maps and helpfully defined terms in fictional languages: “Her father told her they were the lan’and, the land spirits, though, like everyone else, he couldn’t see them.” Hightower moves the story through this thoughtful environment swiftly and concisely, making it easy to grasp, and also provides scenes of action and adventure. Readers will likely be excited to see where the stories take them.
A lengthy but compelling tale that’s packed with essential fantasy elements.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2022
ISBN: 9781685130275
Page Count: 663
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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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