by J. Elle ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 11, 2023
A vibrant new story for a classic character.
This original story by bestselling author Elle is inspired by Disney’s 2023 live-action film The Little Mermaid.
Teenage admirers of the plucky sea princess are reunited with Ariel, who’s just turned 15 and is the last in the royal family to assume responsibility as Protector over her sea territory, located on the desirable high-sun side of Carinae. However, her father, King Triton, is overprotective and unsure if the youngest of his seven daughters can take on this important role without the guidance of the late queen. The unexpected, tragic death of the family’s matriarch still looms over the family, resulting in a yearslong fracture among the sisters. But when the family does come together for Ariel’s ceremonial festivities, events are abruptly interrupted when oldest sister Mala is abducted under mysterious and threatening circumstances. With gumption and a natural knack for unifying leadership, Ariel creates unlikely alliances in an attempt to quell discord within the kingdom and find her missing sister before it’s too late. Elle’s story infuses vigor and depth into the beloved and storied Disney franchise and centers a brown-skinned Ariel with auburn locs. The solid writing conveys the resilience and ingenuity of its familiar yet reimagined protagonist. The entertaining action and worldbuilding combine to create a story generations of fans will enjoy.
A vibrant new story for a classic character. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9781368077224
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2023
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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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More About This Book
by Holly Black ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 2, 2018
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
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New York Times Bestseller
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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