by William Lejeune William Lejeune ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 20, 2023
This lengthy, measured, and character-driven tale of magic kicks off what promises to be an engrossing saga.
In Lejeune’s debut fantasy novel and series launch, a teen mage hides in a bustling city to safeguard a parchment that holds potentially deadly secrets.
Summer Fontenay, who has just graduated from the Imperial College of Magic, contemplates her future. Her life takes an unexpected detour when she finds the Master Reader, whom she’s been assisting, on the verge of death; he hands her a parchment he’s been translating and, with his final words, tells her to take it to the city of Torrick. She’s to deliver it to the only scholar the Master Reader trusts, but he’s not an easy man to track down. The enigmatic manuscript now in Summer’s possession contains “terrible knowledge” that many people crave, and it’s not long before some interested parties are hunting her to get their hands on the parchment (she also happens to be a murder suspect in the Master reader’s death). Around the same time, 17-year-old mage-to-be Cole Culhane is studying in Torrick. When he surmises that a skilled thief has stolen his books, which he can’t afford to replace, Cole winds up entangled with a group of criminals who are, unsurprisingly, not very trustworthy. His path ultimately crosses with Summer’s, along with those of several others determined to secure the parchment. All the while, Summer struggles to keep her head down, whether among the temples and towers of Torrick’s Upper City or navigating the crowded marketplace in the Lower City.
Lejeune’s impressive worldbuilding introduces myriad characters in an expansive Empire, although the story predominantly sticks to a few cities. The cast includes several standouts who garner the spotlight, like Summer’s fellow graduate Fenya, who’s looking for Summer at the behest of the Wizarding Guild, and Deputy Marshal Arlen, who investigates a fatal drowning and probable murder. All of these plot strands, like Summer’s and Cole’s, intersect in some capacity before this opening series installment is over. Throughout, magic is sublimely incorporated into the narrative without overwhelming it: Some try persuading others through enchantments or hide things with charms; there are “linked” mirrors for instant transportation; and Fenya uses a hex to bully Summer back at school. The author jam-packs the novel with subplots—many spin off into additional subplots. While these secondary stories are absorbing in their own right (such as Cole’s curious encounter with “the River Lady”), they also have the tendency to, at least temporarily, sideline the more essential elements, like Summer finding the scholar or Cole recovering his books. All of the colorful individuals gathered prompt dialogue-laden scenes, but it’s Lejeune’s sharp details that shine brightest: “Men in robes stood about talking in low voices… The large table had been cleared and a great map of the city laid out. [Chief clerk] Olmo, old and stout, was busy explaining it to a gaggle of mages.” By the novel’s end, readers will have no trouble guessing the direction that the planned sequel will likely take.
This lengthy, measured, and character-driven tale of magic kicks off what promises to be an engrossing saga.Pub Date: Nov. 20, 2023
ISBN: 9781739556402
Page Count: 728
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: July 18, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Devney Perry ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 6, 2025
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.
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A reluctant princess is thrust into deadly political intrigue in Perry’s sweeping, high-stakes romantasy.
Odessa is the overlooked and underestimated princess of Quentis, whose life takes an unexpected turn when a deal is struck between her father and the formidable Turan warriors force her into an arranged marriage with their enigmatic prince, Zavier Wolfe. Intended as a mere formality to secure trade routes and military alliances, the betrothal spirals into something far more dangerous when ancient magic, a ruthless Guardian, and a looming war threaten to upend everything she knows. Finally emerging from the shadow of her seemingly perfect half sister, Mae, Odessa must navigate court politics, monstrous creatures, and her own uncertain place in a world where survival often depends on strategy rather than strength. As tensions rise, she finds herself entangled with the dangerous, enigmatic Guardian—a man whose silver eyes hold secrets of their own. Perry’s worldbuilding is lush and immersive, crafting a kingdom rife with old magic, deadly beasts, and political machinations that add depth. The pacing is relentless, carrying Odessa from one life-altering event to another as she grapples with duty, defiance, and a destiny she never chose. Her internal conflict is compelling, torn between the expectations placed upon her and the fierce independence that threatens to make her an outcast in her own kingdom. Romance simmers as Odessa struggles to reconcile her obligations with her growing attraction to the Guardian, whose past is as shadowed as his reputation. Mae is introduced as Odessa’s political foil, and although her presence drives much of Odessa’s internal drama—being constantly overshadowed or underestimated—she’s mostly seen through Odessa’s perspective. Her motivations, ambitions, and political maneuverings might have benefited from deeper exploration to give more nuance to the power dynamics. However, Perry’s evocative prose and intricate plotting make for a gripping tale. Readers looking for a slow-burn romantasy with rich political intrigue and a protagonist forced to create her own fate will find much to enjoy.
A thrilling, immersive tale that shows that some bargains demand more than just a crown.Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9781649378514
Page Count: 528
Publisher: Entangled: Red Tower Books
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Rebecca Yarros ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.
A young Navarrian woman faces even greater challenges in her second year at dragon-riding school.
Violet Sorrengail did all the normal things one would do as a first-year student at Basgiath War College: made new friends, fell in love, and survived multiple assassination attempts. She was also the first rider to ever bond with two dragons: Tairn, a powerful black dragon with a distinguished battle history, and Andarna, a baby dragon too young to carry a rider. At the end of Fourth Wing (2023), Violet and her lover, Xaden Riorson, discovered that Navarre is under attack from wyvern, evil two-legged dragons, and venin, soulless monsters that harvest energy from the ground. Navarrians had always been told that these were monsters of legend and myth, not real creatures dangerously close to breaking through Navarre’s wards and attacking civilian populations. In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. Due to the machinations of several traitorous instructors at Basgiath, Xaden and Violet are separated for most of the book—he’s stationed at a distant outpost, leaving her to handle the treacherous, cutthroat world of the war college on her own. Violet is repeatedly threatened by her new vice commandant, a brutal man who wants to silence her. Although Violet and her dragons continue to model extreme bravery, the novel feels repetitive and more than a little sloppy, leaving obvious questions about the world unanswered. The book is full of action and just as full of plot holes, including scenes that are illogical or disconnected from the main narrative. Secondary characters are ignored until a scene requires them to assist Violet or to be killed in the endless violence that plagues their school.
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781649374172
Page Count: 640
Publisher: Red Tower
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
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