A dramatic saga of crime and second chances.
Thedford offers an African American girl’s story of family and faith in East Atlanta in this YA novel.
After Egypt James’ father leaves her family without explanation, she struggles to cope with the loss, experiencing an emotional breakdown and expulsion from school, but she’s supported by her loving mother. Egypt enrolls in Eastside High School, following her family tradition of entering the debutante program. At a local fundraiser, she meets motorcycle-riding William Harris, who’s an attractive but dangerous member of the drug-dealing LD03 gang. Rumors persist about William recruiting young girls to become private dancers for men; still, drawn in by his charm, Egypt becomes pregnant with William’s baby. Soon, William is arrested for human trafficking, and Egypt learns that more LD03 operations are still in operation. And as her father reemerges in her life, questions persist about his own connection to the LD03 and his role in the corruption that consumes her community. Thedford presents a coming-of-age story rife with real-world struggles and set in an Atlanta community in which children mature fast amid violence, poverty, and drug crime. Although the work is never graphic, it effectively deals with difficult themes, including substance abuse, infant mortality, and youth trafficking. Still, the work maintains an uplifting tone, with positive outcomes for most of its main characters. It also highlights Christian faith and forgiveness in a way that may appeal to religious readers and has a message that persistence can bring one’s dreams to life.
A dramatic saga of crime and second chances.Pub Date: March 31, 2022
ISBN: 9781088062890
Page Count: 206
Publisher: New World Press, Inc.
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries—those who have powers and those who don’t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she’s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom’s Ordinaries. Kai’s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he’s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can’t help but find Pae’s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they’re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren’t bolstered by the original’s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798987380406
Page Count: 538
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
Exactly what the title promises.
A grieving teen’s devotion to romance films might ruin her chances at actual romance.
Liz Buxbaum has always adored rom-coms, not least for helping her still feel close to her screenwriter mother, who died when she was little. Liz hopes that her senior year might turn into a real-life romantic fantasy, as an old crush has moved back to town, cuter and nicer than ever. Surely she can get Michael to ask her to prom. If only Wes, the annoying boy next door, would help her with her scheming! This charming, fluffy concoction manages to pack into one goofy plot every conceivable trope, from fake dating to the makeover to the big misunderstanding. Creative, quirky, daydreaming Liz is just shy of an annoying stereotype, saved by a dry wit and unresolved grief and anger. Wes makes for a delightful bad boy with a good heart, and supporting characters—including a sassy best friend, a perfect popular rival, even a (not really) evil stepmother—all get the opportunity to transcend their roles. The only villain here is Liz’s lovelorn imagination, provoking her into foolish lies that cause actual hurt feelings; but she is sufficiently self-aware to make amends just in time for the most important trope of all: a blissfully happy ending. All characters seem to be White by default.
Exactly what the title promises. (Romance. 12-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6762-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
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