In this fascinating but frustrating sequel to Wolf Tower (2000), Lee continues her heroine’s imaginary journal. Claidi is blissfully preparing for her wedding to the tribal chieftain Argul when she is kidnapped by agents of the Towers, whose Law she destroyed in the previous story. She is taken to the Rise, a clifflike palace powered by a stupendous waterfall, where creatures evolve oddly, and rooms wander about inexplicably under the baneful Wolf Star. Despite her fury at her abduction and her longing for Argul, Claidi is intrigued by the Rise’s eccentric wonders, and drawn to its peculiar inhabitants—the surly prince Venn and his strange servants—only to discover that Venn’s peculiarities are linked to both Argul and her own shrouded past. Lee pieces together an intricate, disturbingly different, world, and Claidi remains an engaging character, delightfully down-to-earth among marvels. But Venn, despite his deep wounds, seems remarkably unsympathetic, and the remaining characters are little more than ciphers. While the narrative deepens and extends the themes of iconoclasm and self-reliance from Wolf Tower, it suffers the typical flaws of a series novel: too much action without anything really happening, and minor questions resolved while, through a preposterous deus ex machina, major mysteries are left hanging. Although helpful artifacts keep popping up at convenient plot points, the underlying nature of science/magic remains muddled. As part of the series, this is essential; but as a standalone, it’s likely to leave readers as much puzzled as enchanted. (Fiction. 11+)
Pub Date: June 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-525-46673-8
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2001
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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