Returning fans will be pleased with this neatly wrapped up duology closer.
A witch and a warrior must form a sacred bond to protect all magic in this sequel to 2023’s Night of the Witch.
Fritzi and Otto have settled in at the Well, and the local villagers, aware of the existence of magic following their battle with Dieter, largely accept the Black Forest witches. With Dieter assumed to be dead “or as good as,” the couple turn their attention to other matters—becoming a bonded pair, chosen by the goddess Holda to be a champion (Fritzi) and a warrior (Otto). They also hope to convince the coven that wild magic isn’t inherently bad. But the bonding ceremony goes awry, and they discover that Dieter is not only still alive, but he’s also secretly bonded with Fritzi, using her as a conduit to uncover the council’s secrets, thus putting all magic in danger. Fritzi, Otto, and their friends embark on a quest to find magical artifacts in order to stop Dieter. This book continues the exploration of paganism and Christianity in 16th-century Germany with a focus on free will versus fate in both religious traditions; knowledge of the earlier entry is a must. The slow pacing of the book’s first half picks up as the action intensifies. The authors switch between the leads’ first-person perspectives, but it’s easy to lose track of who is speaking. The cast members’ camaraderie, humorous dialogue, and sense of found family elevate the story, however.
Returning fans will be pleased with this neatly wrapped up duology closer. (content warnings) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781728277554
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2024
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
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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