Character growth is at the forefront of this engrossing tale of discovery.
A young woman in hiding is thrust into adventure in Storms’ YA fantasy novel.
Marit is the product of an “Unsanctioned” marriage in the fantasy realm of Aktaria. Her parents keep her hidden during the day, and she works on their farm at night; it’s their way of protecting her from being seized by the Aktarian Guard as an Unsanctioned person. This danger doesn’t stop Marit from slipping out during the day with her best friend, Torin. She pays for this bit of fun when she opens the door only to find the AG there to arrest her. Sold as chattel, Marit is fortunate to be bought by Naomi, who needs a maid for her new household. Naomi will be paired with Greyson Kencharo and feels she must part ways with her current maid (and lover) Mylene. But things don’t work out for the new couple: A bomb is thrown into the back room to which they’d been sent during their joining ceremony. Naomi is badly injured and sends Greyson, Mylene, Marit, and Torin on the run. They join up with Emily, who is Mysticborn, part of a group from whom Marit and Greyson seek to learn more about how their nascent magical powers work. (“Notgifted. Mysticborn. It’s the Aktarians who insist on making what’s natural seem like it’s not,” sniffs Emily.) Storms forces her characters to mature quickly. Marit is the ultimate outsider as a homebound fugitive; her fog-farmer friend Torin isn’t any more tied into what’s happening in the Heart of Aktaria. Mylene’s world begins and ends with Naomi. Naomi and Greyson aren’t party to governmental machinations either, despite being members of the upper class—all will have to learn on the fly if they’re to stay alive. Having the point of view alternate among Marit, Torin, Greyson, and Mylene is an effective storytelling technique as they all offer very distinct perspectives. Storms’ well-paced narrative feels considerably shorter than the 325 pages it fills. Winning characters and a well-constructed backdrop make for a riveting journey to a satisfying resolution.
Character growth is at the forefront of this engrossing tale of discovery.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-7328492-8-0
Page Count: 332
Publisher: Rainestorms Press
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
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