A satisfactory vampire tale.
Ryan Callan might be mistaken for an average, angst-y 17-year-old girl who loves vampire novels and listens to Taylor Swift—except she happens to be a vampire herself.
At a vampire compound in Ireland, Ryan hopes to become a member of the Royal Guard, like her parents before her—but they died 10 years ago in a rebel attack. When blood shortages threaten the vampires’ survival, they decide to introduce themselves into human society to gain easier access to volunteer blood donors. So the crown prince Nickolai joins a private school where he can take night classes, with Ryan along to protect him. But danger lurks as a rogue vampire starts murdering students on campus—and sets his eyes on Ryan, wanting to make her his queen. Though sometimes forced and over-the-top provocative, Ryan’s constant snarky quips keep the story entertaining. She enjoys needling Nickolai, and the chemistry between them builds throughout the book. Mentions of pop culture—TV, movies, and music from Saved by the Bell to the Backstreet Boys—occasionally seem out of place. Vampire fans who can overlook weak worldbuilding will encounter a gruesome cliffhanger ending that will leave them thirsting for more. All main characters are white; two of the older vampires are a gay couple. (This book will release as a digital edition on May 20, 2020, with print release scheduled for Jul. 20, 2020, at time of review.)
A satisfactory vampire tale. (playlists) (Paranormal romance. 14-18)Pub Date: May 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-63422-388-1
Page Count: 300
Publisher: Clean Teen
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
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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