A smart, magnetism-driven SF/fantasy tale that gives a new series admirable power.
Centuries after a planetary disaster turns Earth into a sun-scorched wilderness, a teenager abandons her kingdom during a barbarian siege to embark on a forbidden quest for a legendary energy source.
Ting’s debut novel kicks off a YA SF/fantasy series. The principal setting, as tipped off by a map in the opening pages, is the “Arctic Fist”—recognizable as Alaska and its surroundings. Some 300 years ago, a 90-degree “Shift” in Earth’s magnetosphere exposed much of the planet to pitiless solar flares and radiation. The consequent mass extinctions and societal collapse have led to a strange, feudalist new world order, in which one portion of scattered humanity subsists near the poles. A small number of people, predominantly women, evolved as “Faradants,” able to generate magnetic fields via their cardiopulmonary systems. They can control certain metals, heal some forms of illnesses, generate heat, and, at least temporarily, erect force shields against the “Solscream” barrages of lethal radiation. Kaili, 16, is the royal heir to the matriarchal city-state of Kalulishi, an underground fortress that keeps her people safe from solar flares. It is one of the few relatively comfortable and prosperous settlements in the Fist, but it’s arrogantly estranged from adjacent fishing villages and under regular attack by “Arcfarer” barbarians. When a fearsome, mysterious “Iron King” with formidable Faradant abilities lays siege to Kalulishi, Kaili impulsively ventures into hazardous territories (with ruins of the long-gone civilization) after the Deoridium, a rumored artifact of immense power. But Kaili does seem to make more tragic mistakes and bad choices than the average plucky YA protagonist, and this may be one of them. Ting’s concept of metallurgical magic is at first one of those irksomely elastic fantasy gimmicks whose logic seems to come and go as is convenient to rescue the hero from seemingly hopeless peril. But a neat, last-act twist does explain the inconsistencies. The action-filled plot concludes with a number of dangling story strands, unaccounted-for villains still in play, and a romance (low on the author’s list of priorities) deep in the background. But genre readers should be attracted by the well-planned worldbuilding and clever narrative and not be repelled by the loose threads.
A smart, magnetism-driven SF/fantasy tale that gives a new series admirable power.Pub Date: Feb. 16, 2022
ISBN: 979-8-40665-453-8
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: July 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
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
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
