Anyone can jump into the Numair Chronicles, but the novel will especially appeal to fans of the Tortall books
Pierce’s new prequel series chronicles the beginnings of one of Tortall’s greatest mages.
At the Imperial University of Carthak, 10-year-old Arram (aka Numair Salmalín in later life) is brimming with power. When he accidentally floods a classroom with an unusually strong water spell, he is moved up to more advanced studies. He promptly makes two new friends, the charming Varice and the prince Ozorne. Pierce immerses readers in Arram’s day-to-day life as he ages, builds relationships with powerful mage instructors, encounters gods, and awakens to the brutality around him—especially as it relates to slavery. Sometimes lagging, the novel never comes to much of a climax, but Pierce slowly builds tension throughout for future conflict. As Arram comes into his power and Ozorne begins a dark ascent to the throne, their destinies become more tightly intertwined, for better or for worse. Hailing from different regions, Pierce’s characters are diverse (Arram is brown, and Varice and Ozorne are white). However, with his focus so deeply on his studies, Arram’s tunnel vision makes it difficult to gain a good understanding of the world beyond the university’s walls. Even as the theme of slavery is prominently woven throughout the novel, Arram’s scope of it is limited. But, with more to come in the series, there is still room for development.
Anyone can jump into the Numair Chronicles, but the novel will especially appeal to fans of the Tortall books . (Fantasy. 12-adult)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-375-84711-0
Page Count: 480
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Oct. 29, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2017
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
