by Aurora M. Winter ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 17, 2023
An often endearing cast enlivens this enjoyable introduction to otherworldly realms.
In this debut YA fantasy series-starter, Earth-born siblings find themselves stranded in a parallel world that suffers under a fiendish ruler’s reign.
California teenager Zorana “Ana” Zest’s father ships her and her little brother, Zackary,off to London. They’ll stay with their beloved uncle, Shockley, and attend Beesneese Boarding School while their “movie mogul” dad, Ace, shoots a movie in Africa. Though the kids can’t wait to tour the beautiful city, there’s something fascinating in their uncle’s garage: the Parallel Universe Pod, or “PUP.” It’s an experimental vehicle that works just fine until Ana sets a course for “Random Joyride.” She and her brother crash-land on the planet Lokey and immediately run into trouble; for starters, the PUP has depleted its hydrogen fuel, which the siblings don’t have on hand. Even worse, the car has apparently accidentally landed on and killed someone: the Emerald Censor, they quickly learn. Many locals are happy she’s gone, as she was one of four Censors who, along with the privacy-invading Thought Police, work for tyrannical ruler Opus Die. Ana doesn’t want these villains tying the siblings to the Emerald Censor’s passing. This becomes complicated when she puts the Censor’s entrancing golden cuffs onto her own wrists; however, these may protect her from Opus Die’s crew. Trying to get home, though, won’t be easy, especially with the Crimson Censor hurling accusations at Ana—most notably, the murder of the Emerald Censor. Ana may be able to protect herself, but when Zackary is suddenly in peril, his rescue becomes her top priority.
Winter’s opening installment showcases a colorful primary cast—particularly Ana and Zackary, who make a superb duo. She dreams of being a Hollywood actor and is protective toward her brother, who’s immunocompromised and certain he’s a “goner,” even though his cancer is currently in remission. Their family has intriguing secrets, as well; their uncle hints at an unknown family “truth,” and their dad insists that Ana wear colored contact lenses to hide her naturally violet eyes. The supporting cast, too, is memorable. There’s Veto, a dog whom Ana rescued; the teen can communicate with him, although others only hear his barking. Also, the tall, lanky Egor, who has a lisp, provides plenty of info on Lokey’s inhabitants. Although much of this book’s exposition comes through dialogue, the narration supplies radiant character details: “Her flaming hair was crowned with a stylish white and black fur hat adorned with scarlet feathers.” Winter further enlivens this strange world with technology, such as a dronelike “gossipfly” that records and delivers messages. It’s also clear that that the villains’ world, which is more technologically advanced than Lokey, is stealing something valuable from the meeker planet. The ending leaves plenty to explore in later volumes, including certain characters’ fates and an enigmatic prophecy. Although this story is an obvious play on The Wizard of Oz, there’s a handful of nods to other works, including the Harry Potter series and the classic BBC SF show Doctor Who, among others.
An often endearing cast enlivens this enjoyable introduction to otherworldly realms.Pub Date: Aug. 17, 2023
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 207
Publisher: Same Page LLC
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
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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by Tomi Oyemakinde ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 26, 2023
A descriptive and atmospheric paranormal social thriller that could be a bit tighter.
After a Nigerian British girl goes off to an exclusive boarding school that seems to prey on less-privileged students, she discovers there might be some truth behind an urban legend.
Ife Adebola joins the Urban Achievers scholarship program at pricey, high-pressure Nithercott School, arriving shortly after a student called Leon mysteriously disappeared. Gossip says he’s a victim of the glowing-eyed Changing Man who targets the lonely, leaving them changed. Ife doesn’t believe in the myth, but amid the stresses of Nithercott’s competitive, privileged, majority-white environment, where she is constantly reminded of her state school background, she does miss her friends and family. When Malika, a fellow Black scholarship student, disappears and then returns, acting strangely devoid of personality, Ife worries the Changing Man is real—and that she’s next. Ife joins forces with classmate Bijal and Benny, Leon’s younger brother, to uncover the truth about who the Changing Man is and what he wants. Culminating in a detailed, gory, and extended climactic battle, this verbose thriller tempts readers with a nefarious mystery involving racial and class-based violence but never quite lives up to its potential and peters out thematically by its explosive finale. However, this debut offers highly visually evocative and eerie descriptions of characters and events and will appeal to fans of creature horror, social commentary, and dark academia.
A descriptive and atmospheric paranormal social thriller that could be a bit tighter. (Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9781250868138
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
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