by Tanvi Berwah ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 9, 2024
A dark and compelling story hampered by uneven worldbuilding.
An elite monster fighter accepts a dangerous quest in this stand-alone companion to Monsters Born and Made (2022).
Krescent “Kress” Dune dreams of leaving the colonized island of Kar Atish, where she leads a brutal life of fighting in the monster pits. The oppressive Collector, leader of the Landers who control the island, mine zargunine, a valuable “alloy of an unknown substance mixed with gold,” and they’ve made the local people Renters, forced to pay to live on their own land. Orphaned Kress knows she’ll only find freedom elsewhere, though that will mean leaving childhood friend Rivan. Desperate, she accepts the offer to guard an expedition to rescue lost miners deep underground in exchange for her freedom. In the dark, labyrinthine passages filled with deadly monsters, Kress uncovers long-buried secrets that affect all the islanders. The book’s creatures and mythology are intriguing and original, but their incorporation into the story is haphazard, resulting in jarring, intrusive exposition. The Landers’ subjugation of Kar Atish and their stripping of its resources are brutally depicted but lack nuance. Although Kress’ narration is overly dramatic, some amusing moments help offset frustration over the slowness of her romantic and emotional breakthroughs, which are frequently interrupted. Still, the plot twists are mind-blowingly enticing and will tempt readers to pick up future stories set in this world. Kress and most cast members have brown skin; the Landers are fantasy white.
A dark and compelling story hampered by uneven worldbuilding. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Jan. 9, 2024
ISBN: 9781728247656
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
More by Tanvi Berwah
BOOK REVIEW
by Tanvi Berwah
by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
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
Share your opinion of this book
More About This Book
by Stephanie Garber ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 24, 2023
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
Share your opinion of this book
More by Stephanie Garber
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.