A solid conclusion.
In the conclusion to the Mirage duology, identity and self-acceptance are inextricably tied to revolution and the dismantling of colonial oppression and power.
Having spared a rebel assassin and broken princess Maram’s trust, body double Amani must now obey orders to the letter to avoid further torture of her family by Maram’s stewardess Nadine. The order for Amani to stand as a proxy in the royal marriage to prince Idris is exquisitely painful, physical proximity serving as a daily reminder of the impossible reality of their mutual love. But Maram’s additional secret orders reveal the half Kushaila/half Vath princess’s inner conflicts of identity and discomfort with the unjust rule of the Vath and her father. Amani must regain Maram’s trust and convince her and their possible allies that Maram is the queen their planet needs. Daud continues to explore aspects of colonialism, from cultural erasure to self-hatred, action versus complicity, and liberation from structural oppression. Shifting perspectives reveal the depth of Maram’s inner conflicts but also the power dynamics and trappings of the two women. The pacing is deliberate, focusing mostly on court machinations and personal relationships as inner and interpersonal conflicts dominate over rebellion plots and revelations (some a little too on-the-nose). Daud’s prose is poetic and rich though occasionally repetitive. The climax, while satisfying, is more abbreviated. Most characters are brown-skinned.
A solid conclusion. (maps, dramatis personae, political factions, timeline, glossary) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-12645-0
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: June 29, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2020
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
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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