Surreal and mysterious; a wild ride.
To escape the clutches of a magical hotel, a Las Vegas teen must uncover its mysterious origins—or be forced to reside there forever.
Sixteen-year-old Anna Alonso just planned the perfect wedding for her older sister, Emily. But when the girls’ dad surprises Emily and her new husband with a condo in Manhattan as a wedding present, organized Anna, always prepared, is devastated; she’d planned on having the new couple nearby. To make matters worse, a tornado watch is issued as Anna, her dad, and his two business associates leave the wedding in their limo. Battered by the increasingly dangerous weather, they reluctantly head to the Houdini, the nearest of the hotels they own. When a telephone pole falls on the limo, trapping her dad and friends inside, Anna seeks help in the Houdini, but it’s strangely deserted and the doors are locked, so she can’t get out. Heading deeper into the hotel, she meets a resident boy named Max who offers to help—but can she trust him? Readers familiar with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Tempest will notice the influences from both works, and fans of contemporary fantasy will be drawn into the magical world explored in this story that is full of twists and turns. Lush details, from descriptions of food and drink to the hotel’s furnishings, will engross readers: While Anna is trying to leave the Houdini, readers might not want to. Most characters are cued white.
Surreal and mysterious; a wild ride. (Fantasy. 12-17)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593486795
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
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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