A rapidly expanding quest with a seemingly endless supply of mischief and surprises.
Zhong presents a middle-grade fantasy novel starring a rebellious youngster.
The trouble begins in ancient times in the fantasy realm of Auyasku, where a stone marten (a weasel-like animal) decides she is going to catch the sun. The marten winds up in the Heavenly Realm, where she unwittingly releases evil spirits (“Demons called their brethren from the farthest corners of the world, and soon the Heavens were teeming with demons of all stripes and shades”). When the demons make their way to the Earthly Realm, havoc ensues. Many years later, a blacksmith’s son named Hatsukoi proves to be quite the trickster in his home village of Koto. Hatsukoi is mischievous and clever, always managing to think up an exit strategy in a tight spot. When he runs afoul of a greedy local governor named Tu Fang, however, it would seem his goose is finally cooked. Hatsukoi’s father sends him to a monastery to hide him. At the monastery, Hatsukoi takes on the name Takuan and gets up to his old pranks, though he also manages to learn some useful things. Takuan goes back to his home village only to learn that his father has been killed and his sister and mother have moved on; he sets back out on the road. The tale of Takuan unfolds in a breezy, fairytale-like fashion. Rather than overburdening the reader with too many details or backstories, the narrative keeps moving forward. Even the somewhat complex tale of the stone marten moves rapidly, helped along by the comedic effect of a marten, of all creatures, causing so much trouble. There is a lot of ground to cover in the 600-some pages of this volume; the narrative often strays from Takuan for several pages, leaving the reader curious about, say, what role a fearful monk named Soliang might play. Yet even with such detours, the pace is sprightly—there is no telling what angry honey badger or sassy demon lies just around the bend.
A rapidly expanding quest with a seemingly endless supply of mischief and surprises.Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2023
ISBN: 9789083346007
Page Count: 549
Publisher: Anno Ruini Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 30, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship.
A young tennis champion becomes the target of revenge.
In this sequel to Legacy and the Queen (2019), Legacy Petrin and her friends Javi and Pippa have returned to Legacy’s home province and the orphanage run by her father. With her friends’ help, she is in training to defend her championship when they discover that another player, operating under the protection of High Consul Silla, is presenting herself as Legacy. She is so convincing that the real Legacy is accused of being an imitation. False Legacy has become a hero to the masses, further strengthening Silla’s hold, and it becomes imperative to uncover and defeat her. If Legacy is to win again, she must play her imposter while disguised as someone else. Winning at tennis is not just about money and fame, but resisting Silla’s plans to send more young people into brutal mines with little hope of better lives. Legacy will have to overcome her fears and find the magic that allowed her to claim victory in the past. This story, with its elements of sports, fantasy, and social consciousness that highlight tensions between the powerful and those they prey upon, successfully continues the series conceived by late basketball superstar Bryant. As before, the tennis matches are depicted with pace and spirit. Legacy and Javi have brown skin; most other characters default to White.
A worthy combination of athletic action, the virtues of inner strength, and the importance of friendship. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 24, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-949520-19-4
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Granity Studios
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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