Snappy dialogue, a satisfyingly epic battle, and unexpected heroes make for a conclusion that will satisfy readers of the...
Los Angeles teen witch Indigo returns in this follow-up to Hexed (2014), honing her magic skills rapidly as she uncovers information about Los Demonios, an other-dimensional prison used by both the Family, a society of witches and warlocks, and their sworn enemies, the Priory, who are sorcerers.
Picking up just weeks after the events of the first novel, Indie has returned home from her warlock boyfriend Bishop’s house. Though panicked about her friend Paige’s whereabouts since she was kidnapped by a sorcerer, she’s still expected by her aunt and legal guardian, Penny, to attend high school and abide by house rules. Swift pacing moves the action along quickly, and the emotional drama between Indigo and her aunt is convincing and provides balance. Romance fans will find Bishop and Indie’s chemistry swoon-worthy, though descriptions of his tangled hair, tattoos, and leather jacket feel repetitive. A romantic subplot involving Indigo’s attraction to Cruz, another guy who helps her in Los Demonios, resolves abruptly, feeling tacked on rather than integral to the story. Still, Krys’ ear for the good quip continues to please: “Sorry I took so long. Dude just wouldn’t die.”
Snappy dialogue, a satisfyingly epic battle, and unexpected heroes make for a conclusion that will satisfy readers of the first installment . (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)Pub Date: May 26, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-385-74339-6
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015
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
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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