A sobering end to an unusual trilogy.
Iris’ friends and foes take center stage as they reconcile the impact of their choices in this follow-up to The Song of Wrath (2023).
In the wake of Iris’ murder, Max, Rin, Berta, Lulu, and the larger cast of curious characters are thrust into the wrath of the other Hiva, who orchestrated Iris’ demise. Having exacted his revenge, Hiva gives humanity one year before they face destruction. The third-person narration brings readers into the minds of Max and Rin as their paths diverge: Max is set to become Hiva’s guide while Hiva searches for a reason to spare humanity, and Rin sets off to find a way to stop Hiva’s threat. In an effort to draw Iris to him and continue plotting humanity’s downfall, power-hungry Adam is focused on bringing Britain into the great war that’s brewing. Unbeknownst to all, Iris is waiting in the Earth’s core to be reborn and exact her revenge. Even as the characters’ paths converge toward a cataclysmic event, bringing forth the responsibilities they have to each other, they question loyalties and examine the purpose of life. This trilogy closer slowly unveils the cores of its diverse cast of characters, forcing them to reconcile their beliefs and in turn offering more insights into what makes them tick. There’s plenty of cryptic plotting and action to keep readers engaged as they gradually make their way toward an unpredictable conclusion.
A sobering end to an unusual trilogy. (Historical fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: April 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781534453623
Page Count: 496
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
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