A series closer set in an expansive fantasy realm that’s let down by a rushed pace.
The second installment in the Waking Fire duology delivers a relentless, action-packed continuation of the story.
Picking up shortly after the events of the previous installment, the book reunites readers with Naira, who’s still haunted by visions from the Three-Faced God. She begins a treacherous journey across the unforgiving salt pans in search of Gamikal the Long-Lasting, a figure she believes holds the key to defeating the oppressive force of Sothpike. Struggling to control the fire magic she discovered in the first book, Naira faces external threats and internal turmoil as she leads her companions through a series of landscapes filled with danger and revelations. Naira’s quest to find Sothpike drives the plot, but the overwhelming pace and influx of new characters and mythological elements often make it difficult to fully engage with the story. While the world surrounding the brown-skinned characters is richly inspired by a blend of diverse cultures and traditions, the narrative offers limited time for reflection or a deeper understanding of these influences. Naira’s struggles add emotional depth but are often overshadowed by the rapid storytelling. Her relationships feel underdeveloped and lacking in maturity when compared to the complexity of the worldbuilding. Despite these shortcomings, the strong narrative momentum and vivid imagery make this a gripping, if somewhat chaotic, read for those already invested in Naira’s journey.
A series closer set in an expansive fantasy realm that’s let down by a rushed pace. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: March 11, 2025
ISBN: 9781335010056
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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