A measured but engrossing epic fantasy with indelible characters.
In this YA sequel, teenagers who are destined to save their enchanted realm struggle with dissension and hidden foes.
Paige Connatis is one of the five Cinquain Henten, teens who are prophesied to protect the Boven Naturals universe. This entails tracking down five relics called the Shadow Ankhs, the first of which is the Ankh of Zephyria. The Cinquain Henten knows that particular relic is somewhere in the Void but hasn’t quite worked out how to enter the realm. In the meantime, the teens train in their specific brand of wizardry, such as Ethan Caelum, who has mastered air magic. But Paige unexpectedly absorbed an ancient tome packed with obscure spells and is unquestionably the most powerful among the Cinquain Henten. This stirs up some jealousy, especially from water magic–wielding Avril Irroro. But potential discord is just what Chief Supreme Grant T’amery wants. If he could somehow manipulate the teens, he may be able to grab the Ankh of Zephyria and the relic’s power for himself and therefore dominate the Boven Naturals. As in Rehfus-Wilsek’s preceding novel, this second installment boasts a radiant cast. There are, for example, assorted species, from reptilian Caudates to a Nativus like Paige, whose skin changes color depending on her mood. This book likewise maintains its predecessor’s deliberate pace; much of the story involves preparation—magic training, hard-to-solve riddles, and an entirely new prophecy. One subplot nevertheless stands out, as Principal Regulator Evland Caelum (Ethan’s mom), who heads the Order of Mystics, investigates a string of crimes (including murder) that tie in with the main plot. Furthermore, the author excels throughout at depicting the various settings—shadows “twisting into grotesque silhouettes” in the halls of Arcana Academy, and the whistling wind “carrying the mournful cry of a distant owl” during a secret meeting. As the series is far from over, this installment ends on a stellar cliffhanger.
A measured but engrossing epic fantasy with indelible characters.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Dec. 31, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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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