Unlikely to thrill readers of the original series or draw in new fans.
The Blue Blood vampires are back, but the world now looks very different.
When Schuyler wakes up in New York City, she’s disoriented. Last she remembers, she was in London, where she defeated Lucifer but lost her love, Jack. She soon realizes that this New York is not the same one she remembers, and even her reflection in the mirror looks different, although she is still a half vampire. She’s in an alternate universe where it’s 2020, a pandemic is raging, her mom is a completely different person, Lucifer is still alive and mayor of the city, and Jack is alive, too—but he doesn’t even know Schuyler. Turns out Schuyler isn’t the only one with memories of the other world; her friend Kingsley remembers it, and he believes it’s up to Schuyler to defeat Lucifer…again. Schuyler’s old world comes from the original Blue Bloods series, but this new entry functions as a reboot and spinoff, inviting in new readers. However, because of the ties to the previous books, a lot of information is introduced at the beginning, slowing things down. Although there’s some fun action, the worldbuilding of this latest story is underdeveloped. The cast includes more diversity than before: Schuyler and best friend Oliver are now multiracial (other leads are White), and Kingsley has a male love interest—but all the characters are bland and one-note. The sequel-bait open ending is also unsatisfying.
Unlikely to thrill readers of the original series or draw in new fans. (Paranormal. 12-18)Pub Date: July 26, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-368-06694-5
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: April 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK TO SCREEN
A descriptive and atmospheric paranormal social thriller that could be a bit tighter.
After a Nigerian British girl goes off to an exclusive boarding school that seems to prey on less-privileged students, she discovers there might be some truth behind an urban legend.
Ife Adebola joins the Urban Achievers scholarship program at pricey, high-pressure Nithercott School, arriving shortly after a student called Leon mysteriously disappeared. Gossip says he’s a victim of the glowing-eyed Changing Man who targets the lonely, leaving them changed. Ife doesn’t believe in the myth, but amid the stresses of Nithercott’s competitive, privileged, majority-white environment, where she is constantly reminded of her state school background, she does miss her friends and family. When Malika, a fellow Black scholarship student, disappears and then returns, acting strangely devoid of personality, Ife worries the Changing Man is real—and that she’s next. Ife joins forces with classmate Bijal and Benny, Leon’s younger brother, to uncover the truth about who the Changing Man is and what he wants. Culminating in a detailed, gory, and extended climactic battle, this verbose thriller tempts readers with a nefarious mystery involving racial and class-based violence but never quite lives up to its potential and peters out thematically by its explosive finale. However, this debut offers highly visually evocative and eerie descriptions of characters and events and will appeal to fans of creature horror, social commentary, and dark academia.
A descriptive and atmospheric paranormal social thriller that could be a bit tighter. (Thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9781250868138
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 8, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A thrilling and exquisitely grotesque showcase of young women taking charge.
Three young women team up to track down a serial killer who’s targeting witches.
Jude Wolf became cursed after a deal with a demon went awry; as a result, she was kicked out of her rich and well-connected family. Zara Jones wants to bring her murdered sister back from the dead so she can make amends. They both need the help of Emer Byrne, a powerful type of witch known as a cursewriter. With a dark past of her own, Emer writes invocations that give women power in exchange for letting a demon have part of their souls, turning them into witches. When the trio of women, who are cued white, realize that the serial killer on the loose in London is specifically going after Emer’s previous clients, they pool their resources. Jude is independently wealthy, Zara has incredible puzzle-solving skills, and Emer brings her witchy prowess: Together they work to fight back and find the killer. Filled with feminist rage and a sprinkle of queer romance, this lushly written tale methodically builds to a heart-pounding confrontation. Each woman is separately introduced, and then Sutherland expertly weaves together their lives in intricate and fascinating ways. The characters’ relationships evolve as the stakes become increasingly dangerous. Although some of the worldbuilding details are waved away, the evocative body horror, distinct and compelling leads, and twisty plot will keep readers immersed in this grisly story.
A thrilling and exquisitely grotesque showcase of young women taking charge. (Paranormal thriller. 14-18)Pub Date: Jan. 30, 2024
ISBN: 9780593532263
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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