A charming entry fizzing with romance.
Rogue magical wards trap Elisabeth Scrivener and her companions inside Thorn Manor in this novella that revisits the world of Sorcery of Thorns (2019).
A violent, magical gale surrounds Thorn Manor, separating the inhabitants from the rest of Hemlock Park. And for once, the calamity seems not to be the fault of Nathaniel Thorn himself. Something has triggered a modification to the wards, and Elisabeth and Nathaniel will have to figure out what it is, as they’re due to host the Midwinter Ball next week. Soon, Elisabeth realizes that the more romantically she and Nathaniel act toward one another, the angrier the house’s response. With the aid of Silas, Nathaniel’s demon, they begin to search areas of Thorn Manor long since closed off for clues. They discover a grimoire penned by Nathaniel’s ancestor Clothilde Thorn and, after a battle with a furious dressing gown, surmise that the manor is upset that Nathaniel hasn’t followed proper courtship protocols with Elisabeth. By completing three impossible tasks, Nathaniel may be able to free them from the magical cyclone in which they are trapped in time for the ball—if he’s really Elisabeth’s true love, that is. Though low on dramatic tension, this short tale will feel as cozy as a warm bath to fans of Elisabeth and Nathaniel’s romance, as it is replete with whimsical settings, sexy stolen moments, and Nathaniel’s signature witty banter. A deeper look into Silas’ inner workings adds depth to an otherwise frothy, fantastical romp.
A charming entry fizzing with romance. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66593-561-6
Page Count: 192
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
A thrilling, beautifully written page-turner.
A young woman pursues a dangerous quest in late-1800s Egypt in this sequel to What the River Knows (2023).
After Inez Olivera was nearly murdered while assisting with her uncle’s archaeological expedition in Egypt, Tío Ricardo is eager to ship her home to safety in Argentina. But Inez burns with the need to stay and make sure that those who committed crimes against her family are held responsible. Unfortunately, the law precludes Inez, as a young unmarried woman, from accessing her inheritance (needed to fund her quest for justice) without her guardian uncle’s permission. Whitford Hayes, a former British soldier and her tío’s aide-de-camp, proposes marriage, which could solve her problems. But can Inez trust the secretive Whit? More danger and intrigue lurk at every turn in this exciting duology closer, which fully addresses the first entry’s jaw-dropping cliffhanger. The well-paced plot encompasses many fresh, new adventures and betrayals in this reimagined historical setting in which ancient magic abounds and not everyone or everything is what it seems. Even more captivating, however, is the complicated, nuanced love story between Whit and Inez. Their chemistry sizzles, but their relationship is achingly layered with both profound loyalty and deep deception. As their journey unearths new enemies and priceless archaeological finds, the duo must try to trust each other enough to survive.
A thrilling, beautifully written page-turner. (cast of characters, map, timeline) (Historical fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781250822994
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2024
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.
A young Navarrian woman faces even greater challenges in her second year at dragon-riding school.
Violet Sorrengail did all the normal things one would do as a first-year student at Basgiath War College: made new friends, fell in love, and survived multiple assassination attempts. She was also the first rider to ever bond with two dragons: Tairn, a powerful black dragon with a distinguished battle history, and Andarna, a baby dragon too young to carry a rider. At the end of Fourth Wing (2023), Violet and her lover, Xaden Riorson, discovered that Navarre is under attack from wyvern, evil two-legged dragons, and venin, soulless monsters that harvest energy from the ground. Navarrians had always been told that these were monsters of legend and myth, not real creatures dangerously close to breaking through Navarre’s wards and attacking civilian populations. In this overly long sequel, Violet, Xaden, and their dragons are determined to find a way to protect Navarre, despite the fact that the army and government hid the truth about these creatures. Due to the machinations of several traitorous instructors at Basgiath, Xaden and Violet are separated for most of the book—he’s stationed at a distant outpost, leaving her to handle the treacherous, cutthroat world of the war college on her own. Violet is repeatedly threatened by her new vice commandant, a brutal man who wants to silence her. Although Violet and her dragons continue to model extreme bravery, the novel feels repetitive and more than a little sloppy, leaving obvious questions about the world unanswered. The book is full of action and just as full of plot holes, including scenes that are illogical or disconnected from the main narrative. Secondary characters are ignored until a scene requires them to assist Violet or to be killed in the endless violence that plagues their school.
Unrelenting, and not in a good way.Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781649374172
Page Count: 640
Publisher: Red Tower
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
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