Well-paced narration will keep readers interested—a superior paranormal adventure.
This second installment in the planned Stork trilogy sends Kat and Jack into the hidden realms of Norse mythology and novel that also retells Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Snow Queen."
Kat has finally begun to fit in well in her new town in Minnesota, where she learned that she has paranormal powers as a “stork” and can, as a member of a group of elderly “storks,” control pregnancies (Stork, 2010). Her boyfriend Jack, who has paranormal powers to control the weather (he’s really Jack Frost), suddenly cools toward her when a beautiful climate researcher comes to town. The age-neutral Brigid charms everyone but Kat and takes enraptured Jack to Greenland for climate research—where they disappear. Meanwhile, Kat travels to Iceland with her grandpa and meets the equivalent of Andersen’s “robber maiden,” who helps her journey into the spirit world to rescue Jack. Delsol keeps this sequel nicely self-contained, while she follows the framework of the fairy tale. She paints Kat as a fashion-conscious modern California girl with enough spunk to challenge a powerful Norse goddess. Readers get a taste of a travelogue to Iceland, complete with a festival, local food and a hint of supernatural creatures. Once Kat’s spirit journey starts, the narrative takes off into a suspenseful adventure and sets up the next sequel.
Well-paced narration will keep readers interested—a superior paranormal adventure. (Paranormal adventure. 12 & up)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-7636-5386-6
Page Count: 378
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2011
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship.
Shortly before the new queen’s coronation, a monster wreaks havoc, forcing a young fairy princess to intervene at her own risk.
In Pixie Hollow, the Never Fairies of Spring, Summer, and Autumn work to create seasons for the humans on the Mainland, while the fairies of Winter remain apart in the Winter Woods. Clarion, a governing-talent fairy who’s soon to take over as queen of Pixie Hollow, often looks wonderingly at the Winter Woods. But crossing the border is against the rules set forth by her mentor, Queen Elvina. When a monster from Winter breaks free and enters Spring, Clarion bristles at Elvina’s dismissal. Determined to be involved, she secretly travels to Winter, meets with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods, and learns that the land is nothing like what she’s heard, making her wonder what else the queen has been untruthful about. Together Milori and Clarion work to discover the secrets of Pixie Hollow, which may save them—or lead to death. Set in a magical place of flowers and pixie dust, this story considers the control we have over the roles we’re assigned. Clarion is a beautifully complex character—strong yet insecure, lovable due to her willingness to prioritize relationships over rules. Themes of fear, forbidden love, and good vs. evil are present in this fast-paced, engaging tale. Main characters are cued white.
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781368098458
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
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