Nonstop action makes for a fun, if sometimes-tiring, read with an inspiring message.
The second installment in Boucher’s trilogy continues the fantastical misadventures of two teenage boys from Sheridan, Wyoming, as they embark on epic quests, solve arcane mysteries, and battle nightmarish creatures in a magical realm.
A mysterious Native American storyteller tells Geof “the Bear” Boucher and Jon Shaeffer, aka “Jonster the Monster,” that Geof’s mother—who’s been missing for years—may be alive and well in another dimension. So, the boys, along with their high school crushes,Debbie and Patricia, travel through a magic portal into a wondrous land known as Sergel-tuteron. However, the teens’ search for Geof’s mother is soon sidetracked when they discover that they might be part of an ancient prophecy called the Song for Tomorrow. Are they, in fact, the prophesized Searchers that will save the Secret City and bring peace to all of Sergel-tuteron? Or are they merely clueless kids who have no idea what they’re doing? After all, Jon comically calls a powerful magical staff in his possession a “stick.” The evil King Bu-usah—who wants the enchanted treasures of the Secret City all to himself—is preparing a massive attack on the city with a seemingly indestructible army of four-armed giants known as Unborns. Geof, Jon, and their small group of allies must find a way to stop the carnage before the magical sanctuary is destroyed, and before all the inhabitants of Sergel-tuteron are killed or enslaved.
To readers’ certain delight, there are many bombshell revelations along the way: Two characters turn out to be much more than they seem; Geof’s mother’s identity is unexpected; and the Secret City holds a mind-blowing surprise. Movie fanatic Jon’s use of classic film quotes adds notes of appealing levity to the story. In one scene, for example, he specifically quotes Spock from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982): “there are always possibilities.” As in the first series entry, The Sceptre(2021), the relentless action keeps things lively. However, the focus on pedal-to-the-metal pacing comes at a price. The character development generally lacks depth, and few sequences slow things down long enough to allow for meaningful introspection. This creates a reading experience that feels as if one is riding downhill in a car with no brakes, which can be exhilarating, but eventually becomes exhausting. Also, the lack of scenes set in the boys’ Wyoming high school is slightly disappointing, if understandable; the dichotomy between the characters’ everyday life experiences and their exploits in a magical realm was highly entertaining the first time around. Still, this story’s message remains solid—“Whatever world you live in, enjoy your life. Every day we live is a gift”—and so is its encouragement to live a purpose-driven and meaningful life: “If we could help the people of Sergel-tuteron so much, what could we do in Sheridan, or Wyoming, or even the world?...Your future is no longer destined. It is now what YOU choose to make it…all of you.”
Nonstop action makes for a fun, if sometimes-tiring, read with an inspiring message.Pub Date: July 12, 2023
ISBN: 9798304230193
Page Count: 302
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
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