A swoony SF sequel with as many thrills as its predecessor.
Natasha Antoinette Clarke continues uncovering new mysteries at the Gray Wolf Academy for time-traveling art thieves in Noël’s SF/romance YA novel.
Picking up immediately after the events of the previous book in the author’s Stealing Infinity series, this entry sees Natasha continuing to deal with the aftermath of her sexual assault during her last time-travel excursion, or “Trip,” as the students at Gray Wolf affectionately refer to their heists through time. Readers are quickly caught up on the story, though series neophytes may still be left behind by some of the complicated worldbuilding summarized here. Natasha does not know who among her circle at Gray Wolf she can trust, including the enigmatic Arthur Blackstone, ringleader of the Academy for whom the students steal priceless works of art throughout history; her swoonworthy boyfriend, Braxton, who always seems on the precipice of revealing a secret; Killian du Luce, a recently returned student who was lost in time for four years and blames Braxton; and Elodie Blue, the friend she blames for landing her in her current situation. The interpersonal drama at Gray Wolf increases with Killian’s presence, as he tries to get closer to Natasha despite his friction with Braxton, much to the latter’s dismay (unbeknownst to Braxton, Natasha and Killian even shared a passionate kiss upon their first meeting). Noël builds the suspense surrounding this uncertainty along with the tension between the characters themselves as everyone seems to pursue their own hidden agendas (“for reasons I don’t fully understand, Braxton and Killian are sworn enemies”). The book ends satisfyingly, with a cliffhanger sure to bring readers back for the next installment. Most of the characters are cued as White, though physical descriptions are sparse. Diversity is more apparent in supporting characters such as Mason, Natasha’s friend from her life before Gray Wolf, who is Black, and Keane, who is presented as brown; Mason is gay, Elodie is nonmonogamous, and two other male characters are in a relationship. Readers should be forewarned of discussions about sexual assault, but the issue is handled sensitively.
A swoony SF sequel with as many thrills as its predecessor.Pub Date: June 6, 2023
ISBN: 9781649371928
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
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
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