A vivid fantasy that’s packed with magic and imagination.
Whitemarsh-Hoffmann’s middle-grade debut sees a young magic student travel back in time to find the twin whom she was never supposed to meet.
Eleven-year-old Iris resides in the Nearwoods, a realm that’s separate from but connected to Earth. She is the Novice of Light, one of six Novices—the others being of Winter, Summer, Spring, Autumn, and Time—charged with mastering the magic needed to manipulate matter and control the natural elements. (Gratifyingly, this involves a fusion of quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.) The novices are instructed, both collectively and individually, by the Bearers of each element, who, in turn, answer to their own former mentors (the Sages). Iris’ bearer and sage are, respectively, Hesper and Bettima; her mother has virtually disowned her and is preoccupied with summoning Iris’ “timebound twin”—a sibling who was consigned at birth to leave the Nearwoods and live sometime in Earth’s history. Searching for such twins is strictly forbidden, but when the fabled dark sorceress Morith makes an appearance, possessing Iris’ mother and threatening the magic that holds the world together, Iris has no choice but to travel to 1985 Milwaukee to find her timebound twin. Whitemarsh-Hoffmann tells the story through a smooth blend of narrative prose, upbeat dialogue, and poetic descriptions, such as “The River Trillium moved in torrents tonight, teeming with silver-backed trout cresting the water to gobble up the stoneflies.” The worldbuilding fizzes with wonder, and the magic-school setting will naturally evoke Harry Potter comparisons; however, Whitemarsh-Hoffmann is less heavy-handed than J. K. Rowling was in characterizing the novices. Iris’ relationship with her mother, for instance, explores the absence of parental love far more effectively than if she’d been orphaned; her relationships with Hesper and Bettima are also richer, compared to the caricatured Dursleys. White-haired, sneering Verena, Novice of Summer, is a relatively toned-down and believable villain. One criticism, though, is that moments of great import are paced similarly as ordinary events. Nonetheless, the action picks up when Iris travels back in time, which will likely engage young readers.
A vivid fantasy that’s packed with magic and imagination.Pub Date: Oct. 10, 2023
ISBN: 9781645385219
Page Count: 188
Publisher: Ten 16 Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
