AN EMBROIDERY OF SOULS

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.