Likable characters enliven a fun if formulaic fantasy.
Jade Aguilar, a rich girl, and Lukas Keller, a poor boy, must team up to save their families and unmask the vicious murderer who’s indiscriminately killing Mérecal’s citizens.
As a thread speaker—someone imbued with the rare gift to “stitch love, embroider away death, and unspool memories”—17-year-old Jade must serve Queen María-Celese after her thread speaker mother disappears. Meanwhile, Lukas, who’s originally from Kabrück, a country that presents fantasy-German, lives in slums that are on the brink of revolt. As mysterious murders sweep Latine-influenced Mérecal, the two strike bargains with unpredictable rulers. The slippery queen wants Jade to examine evidence the polesa find for clues to the killer’s identity. The cutthroat Cora Ramos, who controls the city’s underworld gangs, agrees to make Lukas a serpensa—joining her crew will help him help his family—if he finds the killer, for which he needs the help of a thread speaker. The reluctant pair must work together to overcome their mutual mistrust, embarking on an epic adventure and battling myriad enemies, including a terrifying beast and a bounty hunter. Debut author Martinez deftly explores inequality, sacrifice, and forgiveness, although the main plot is predictable and the worldbuilding is lackluster. But the heart of the story—Jade and Lukas’ budding relationship—is well developed and helps compensate for the one-dimensional characterization of the supporting cast.
Likable characters enliven a fun if formulaic fantasy. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
ISBN: 9780593901038
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
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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