A satisfying story evocative of fairy tales.
Bad girls steal hearts—literally—in this Sapphic sophomore novel.
In a magical version of 18th-century Poland, three girls are bound to serve three extremely powerful, abusive, elderly witch sisters. Beata, aka Morning, serves White Jaga; Marynka, or Midday, serves Red Jaga; and Zosia, who is Midnight, serves Black Jaga. Gifted magical powers that can transform them into murderous monsters, each is tasked with murdering princes and bringing their hearts to their Jagas to give their Jagas power. When Beata and Marynka team up to bring their Jagas the highly coveted pure heart of Prince Józef during his annual winter Karnawał, they quickly discover that Zosia is on the same quest. Fiery Marynka has always been obsessed from afar with sleek, powerful Zosia, but as their dangerous competition continues to ratchet up, the two begin to realize that their obsessive rivalry may, in fact, be a simmering desire. All three long for freedom, but what that means for each of them is something they’ll need to figure out for themselves. The well-realized setting adds a richness to the third-person narrative, which is focalized through Marynka and Zosia. Whiteness is the default, although there are Muslim and Jewish secondary characters, and same-gender attraction is the norm. Some intriguing worldbuilding aspects are underexplored, but fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha trilogy and readers craving morally gray queer characters will happily make room on their shelves for this one.
A satisfying story evocative of fairy tales. (pronunciation guide, author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-72821-001-8
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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