An original, suspenseful, and atmospheric debut.
When Liv’s friend Will disappears the first night of their semester at sea, it’s unclear what really happened, who can be trusted, and what horrible darkness might be onboard.
Liv feels lucky to have scored a full scholarship to participate in the trans-Atlantic SeaMester program aboard the Eos, a posh cruise ship. But surrounded by wealthy, beautiful students, including the stunning and untouchable trio of social media influencers known as the Sirens, Liv starts to feel uneasy. Will’s inexplicable disappearance triggers a host of unanswered questions about his well-being, staff members get caught in lies, and her sophisticated, alluring classmate Constantine proves a complicated mix of friendly ally and untrustworthy love interest. As more people go missing, Liv races to find Will and make sense of murky, mysterious incidents and behaviors. Goldsmith deftly keeps readers in the dark, unsure of which characters to believe but also wondering whether Liv is a reliable narrator. The ship is the perfect setting for just such a thriller: isolated and eerie. The slow unraveling of the mystery is captivating and surprising, the ending deliciously—horrifically—ambiguous. The plot ramps up slowly, but it’s worth the wait. Liv is a White English girl; there is some diversity in nationality and ethnicity among the supporting cast.
An original, suspenseful, and atmospheric debut. (Horror. 12-17)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780593570098
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: April 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes.
What happens to the world after the dust from a revolution has settled?
Friends Annie and Lee were children from very different circles when Atreus killed Lee’s father, dragonlord Leon Stormscourge, ending the uprising on the bloodiest day in Callipolis’ history. For too long the dragonriders held all the power while their people starved and lived in fear. Nine years later, a new generation of dragonriders is emerging, children selected and trained on merit, not bloodlines. Their dragons are finally mature enough for them to compete for Firstrider, a position of power that can give Lee back a small part of what his family lost. However, not only is Lee competing against Annie, but rumors are circulating that some of the royal family have survived and have dragons of their own. Everyone will have to make a choice: Restore the old regime, support the First Protector and the new caste system he created, or look for a new way, no matter what the cost. From the beginning, this book pulls readers in with political intrigue and action. What keeps them invested, however, are the complex relationships between many cast members. Choices are complex, and the consequences for all could be deadly. The world is well fleshed out and believable. Annie and Lee are light skinned; secondary characters are diverse, and race is a nonissue in this world.
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes. (author’s note) (Fantasy.14-17)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-51821-1
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
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