An enchanting, socially conscious fantasy with sophisticated layers.
In the late 1880s, a spirit and an enchanter work together to destroy a powerful secret society.
Four months ago, Sam May died. Now in the spirit realm, Sam plots revenge against his murderer: Simeon Trench, an enchantment student at Massachusetts Commonwealth University and member of the secret Cisneros Society, which rules with an iron fist. It’s able to do so thanks to powerful enchanters among their ranks who are supported by bound spirit thews. Sam’s options are limited to influencing one unusually perceptive police constable. That is, until Sam notices Clem Quinn, a seemingly bumbling new enchantment student at the university who’s become a target for blond, blue-eyed golden boy Simeon’s covert cruelty. Unbeknownst to Sam, however, Clem has plans of his own. When Clem was a child, his mother was killed and made into a spirit thew. Now, he’s determined to free her. But when a secret Clem is keeping is revealed, he must rework his plans while navigating scandal and pushing back against societal inequalities and the Society’s malevolence. With her immersive setting and engaging narrative, Grove weaves a complex tale that explores the fight against injustice and exploitation, with details that will delight attentive readers. Through surprising twists and well-timed reveals, the compelling plot and smooth prose maintain suspense despite the leisurely pacing. In this world, with its Spanish language–infused magic system, Sam and Clem have familial roots in the Yucatán and Hispaniola, respectively.
An enchanting, socially conscious fantasy with sophisticated layers. (Historical fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: July 21, 2026
ISBN: 9781665983709
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
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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