An immersive tale that effortlessly merges fantasy, history, and mythology.
A group of teens discovers a shared connection to Camelot and becomes humanity’s protectors in this YA fantasy debut.
In San Antonio, Texas, 15-year-old Lucas Moreno plays the flute, runs high school track, and loves video games. This average teen’s life is upended when his architect father, Tomás, is gravely injured at a construction site. Before dying in a hospital, Tomás tells Lucas about a box with a silver ring that may only be a “fairy tale.” Six weeks later, Lucas finds a beautifully carved rosewood box among his father’s belongings. The silver ring inside is accompanied by a note explaining that it was “forged by Merlin” to battle evil and was passed down to Moreno men, beginning with Round Table Knight Don Vasquez of Spain. While researching this incredible claim on the internet, Lucas interacts with Oxford professor Morgan Dunmoore, an Arthurian scholar. In a dream, the teen speaks with Don Vasquez and learns that there are other Arthurian artifacts besides the Holy Grail, including the Eye of Buddha and the Hands of Allah. These relics must be saved from the clutches of Mordred, “the bastard heir to Camelot,” whose dark power brings violence into the world. With the help of other ring-powered teens, Desmondo “Des” Jafar Moboto, Maya Hosokawa, and Ryan Casey, Lucas must save humanity from evil. Hoyt’s series opener is a globe-hopping adventure that will rivet budding history and mythology fans. While the heavy hand of “destiny” often steps in to steer the plot, the diverse cast proves entertaining and flaunts a realistic edginess. Ryan, for example, scoffs at the teens’ mission by saying, “Destiny me arse. It’s what the bloody Pope tells the poor to keep ’em down.” Mordred and his agents are a pervasive malevolence, responsible for killing each teen’s father but also inspiring global villainy, such as Japan’s Aum Shinrikyo cult. Deep tensions strengthen the narrative’s second half as the group discovers a potential traitor. Magic helps shorten the travel time between countries, and the grisly action is well choreographed. Fleshed-out antagonists who are truly frightening hint at a compelling sequel.
An immersive tale that effortlessly merges fantasy, history, and mythology.Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2022
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 343
Publisher: Manuscript
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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
© Copyright 2025 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.
