A multi-layered mystery with (mostly) rounded characters. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)
Haven Moore and Iain Morrow's Italian escape (The Eternal Ones, 2010) is cut short when a crisis pulls them back to New York City and into the orbit of the Ouroboros Society.
While Iain had been taking Haven to historic sites to jar memories of the past lives she shared with him and her best friend Beau Decker, Beau makes some discoveries of his own courtesy of a hot guy on Facebook claiming to be his soulmate. But shortly after flying up to New York to visit his mystery man, Beau disappears, leaving only a cryptic text message for Haven. Despite the risk that Adam Rosier might find her—and learn that Iain is still alive—Haven and Iain hop a plane to the city so they can search for Beau. Incidental characters from the first novel are used to optimum advantage as a host of related subplots support the novel's tension. Adam transitions from blanket evil into a richer character and true enigma, even as ancient enemies of his secretly move against him. Haven finds herself needing him—and needing to get close to him—putting both her and Iain in difficult positions. The previous novel's witty narrative voice only returns for the last act of the story, slightly undermining the story line with the most at stake in a quick wrap-up.
A multi-layered mystery with (mostly) rounded characters. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59514-323-5
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2011
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship.
Shortly before the new queen’s coronation, a monster wreaks havoc, forcing a young fairy princess to intervene at her own risk.
In Pixie Hollow, the Never Fairies of Spring, Summer, and Autumn work to create seasons for the humans on the Mainland, while the fairies of Winter remain apart in the Winter Woods. Clarion, a governing-talent fairy who’s soon to take over as queen of Pixie Hollow, often looks wonderingly at the Winter Woods. But crossing the border is against the rules set forth by her mentor, Queen Elvina. When a monster from Winter breaks free and enters Spring, Clarion bristles at Elvina’s dismissal. Determined to be involved, she secretly travels to Winter, meets with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods, and learns that the land is nothing like what she’s heard, making her wonder what else the queen has been untruthful about. Together Milori and Clarion work to discover the secrets of Pixie Hollow, which may save them—or lead to death. Set in a magical place of flowers and pixie dust, this story considers the control we have over the roles we’re assigned. Clarion is a beautifully complex character—strong yet insecure, lovable due to her willingness to prioritize relationships over rules. Themes of fear, forbidden love, and good vs. evil are present in this fast-paced, engaging tale. Main characters are cued white.
A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship. (Fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781368098458
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Disney Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
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
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