A fantasy novel full of romance, politics, and the quest for identity sure to appeal to young adults.
This third installment of Keridan’s YA fantasy series tackles themes of identity, power, and societal change.
The story follows Kyra Valorian, a young woman with extraordinary abilities, as she navigates the complex political and social dynamics of her fantastical world, which includes the antagonistic realms of Astral and Daeval. Kyra is a Recovrancer, someone who can recover the shades (souls) of those who died before their time. This ability sets her on a path to challenge the existing power structures, particularly the oppressive practices of the tyrant Tallus, who performs cruel experiments on Daeval children. Tallus falsely accuses Kyra of being kidnapped by a Daeval to manipulate public opinion and maintain his control. With the support of her friends and family (including Sebastian, her love interest, and Demitri, a close friend), Kyra strives to unite the divided realms of the Astrals and Daevals. The narrative also delves into Kyra’s internal struggles and her relationship with her mother, who initially finds it difficult to accept Kyra’s choices and abilities. The tension between Kyra’s duty to her realm and her personal desires underscores much of the plot, highlighting the challenges of leadership and change. Throughout the story, Keridan weaves in elements of magic, political intrigue, and emotional drama as she explores the costs and rewards of pursuing one’s destiny and the transformative power of love. The author’s use of multiple perspectives adds depth to the story. Kyra Valorian is a well-developed protagonist with compelling internal struggles (especially regarding her identity and responsibilities) that are portrayed with nuance, making her relatable and sympathetic. (Struggling with her obligations to her family and her responsibilities as a ruler, she laments, “Yes, I could have done things differently, but I’d made the best choices I could at the time.”) The pacing maintains a good balance between action sequences and quieter, more introspective moments. Fans of the series will welcome this sequel.
A fantasy novel full of romance, politics, and the quest for identity sure to appeal to young adults.Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2024
ISBN: 9781684632725
Page Count: 320
Publisher: SparkPress
Review Posted Online: June 13, 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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