An absorbing sequel that satisfyingly ties up loose ends.
The last time the gods went to war, they turned a nation to dust.
Now, at “the heart of the world,” the gods walk again, and a group of unlikely heroes must find a way to banish them…or die trying. Warlike Barrica has been strengthened. Macean, her brother god, is bound in sleep. Selly, meanwhile, doesn’t feel much like a hero; her love, Leander, sacrificed himself to become Barrica’s Messenger, and even with Selly bound to him as his anchor, it’s only a matter of time before the magic raging within him tears them apart. When the gateways holding Barrica and Macean back from the world are blown open, the nations of Alinor and Mellacea find themselves plunging headlong toward war, their people irrevocably caught up in the tide. Only a few remain able to see clearly—will their combined strength and knowledge be enough to prevent the destruction of their world? Although various characters’ soul-searching and prevaricating is unduly protracted in places, the plot overall thrums with tension, racing toward a conclusion that never feels foregone. Where this sequel shines in comparison to 2023’s The Isles of the Gods is in the depths of the intimate relationships among the characters and the ferocity with which they fight for their lives. Kaufman’s evocative prose and richly detailed worldbuilding are a treat. Characters’ physical traits are minimally described.
An absorbing sequel that satisfyingly ties up loose ends. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2024
ISBN: 9780593479322
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2024
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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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