An engaging, original tale for those looking for elaborate worldbuilding in their fantasy fiction.
In Stein’s YA novel, the only children in Mandrake, an isolated town surrounded by a circular river, go on a mysterious journey.
The lore of the town runs deep, and tween Donna, as the narrative’s resident expert, guides readers through its complicated history. It turns out that various legendary creatures, including a monster called Hojo (for whom the Hojo River is named); the Swamp King; and the Great Sphinx Moth are very real, and closer to the town than Donna or young Truman could ever have guessed from the stories they’ve been told. They encounter all these creatures and more after they set off from Mandrake on a quest bestowed upon them by Donna’s witchy mother, Aunt Ginny—ostensibly to find a cinnamon tree to make the perfect pecan pie for Donna’s upcoming 13th birthday. It’s the first time that either Donna or Truman have ever left Mandrake, and they do so on a pontoon, guided by Aunt Ginny’s tiny alligator named Regina. They must withstand many perils along the way, including “live oaks” (living, moving trees that try to grab them); swamp bears; and “the Bagman,” who tries to kidnap them. Donna and Truman eventually realize that their quest is about more than cinnamon and that their fate is tied to that of Mandrake itself. Stein’s worldbuilding is complex, which is sure to appeal to some fantasy fans. At first, the setting seems to be a nonspecific fantasy world dominated by swamps; however, an alligator named Ruth Gator Binsburg and a few other contemporary references situate it as real-world adjacent—at least to some degree. Indeed, the swampy environment is reminiscent of real-life areas of Louisiana and the Florida Everglades, and readers may find the disconnect between the magical realism and the modern elements to be a bit disorienting at times. Gorgeous full-page, full-color illustrations by Shui, stylized as postcards, appear at the end of most chapters and add a rich layer of vibrancy and authenticity to the wild environment described in the text.
An engaging, original tale for those looking for elaborate worldbuilding in their fantasy fiction.Pub Date: April 25, 2024
ISBN: 9798891322516
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
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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