Brimming with adventure, tenacity, and magic.
An orphan is chosen for an intergalactic mission beyond his wildest dreams.
Zero Adedji always dreamed of becoming a Saba, or licensed adventurer who harnesses Koba magic using Kobastickers. Zero lives alone in Cégolim, the City of Children, helping stranded travelers through his company, Zero Worries. When he touches a mysterious object one day, it turns out to be the sought-after Jupiter Kobasticker—and it chooses him to possess it. When bounty hunters try to kill him to get it, he’s saved by members of the Shango Heart Guild and invited to join them. Zero works hard to master the Jupiter, which is rumored to grant immortality to every 13th user—and he’s the 25th. Zoe Sitso, Zero’s mentor, asks him, along with guild members Camih and Ladi Hyung, to retrieve the Mask of the Shaman King so its rightful owner can destroy it. The mask grants wishes—but at a steep price, and it could release powerful villain Zomon the Dark King from the Oblong Dimension. The trio fights alongside unlikely allies to retrieve it. Unfortunately, the Space Mafia, who wouldn’t flinch at sacrificing others for their own gain, are also out to possess the mask. Togolese debut author Adodo’s debut bursts forth with wonderful worldbuilding drawing from African mythology and culture. Nail-biting scenes are balanced by comedic moments. In a fantasy-diverse galaxy, Zero and Camih read Black; their relationship is founded on respect, avoiding common sexist tropes.
Brimming with adventure, tenacity, and magic. (character sketches) (Science fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-324-03077-5
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Norton Young Readers
Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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