A rewarding finish to an inventive, emotionally charged duology.
More mysteries arise and new romances bloom among the teens first featured in Black River (2026).
It’s been several months since Opi Silver went through the change that her older sister, Dusty, experienced: A mysterious phenomenon on White Mountain altered their bodies’ chemistry, heightening their senses and making them crave blood. While Dusty and her friend Eli Blake (whom Opi is drawn to despite herself) acquired special abilities with their changes, Opi hasn’t—and she mourns the girl she was before. Once passionate about gardening and being an herbalist, now she desires only the smell and taste of blood—a hunger that’s never satiated. When Dusty has a premonition that Opi is in danger, a detective starts sniffing around, and a menacing shadow appears, it becomes more imperative than ever to learn how everything is connected and what it all means. While the series opener focused on Dusty, Opi gets the spotlight in this lush, wintry sequel, which is a close character study with a similarly intimate feel. Opi and Eli’s slow-burn romance is delicious and sensual, and its development complements Opi’s personal growth. The broader plot advances as more questions arise and danger looms; just when it starts to feel impossible that all these threads can be wrapped up, Cottle throws in unexpected twists and ties a neat, deeply satisfying bow around the story. The leads are cued white; there’s some racial diversity among secondary characters.
A rewarding finish to an inventive, emotionally charged duology. (map) (Paranormal. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
ISBN: 9781250451767
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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