An engaging thrill ride of a story that spotlights a complex, relatable hero.
A Black British teenager attempts to survive after a family vacation unexpectedly turns into a blood-soaked nightmare.
In another version of reality, Femi Fatona would be excited to visit Darlenia. The tropical island, discovered by entrepreneur and CEO Richard Jenkins, features a technologically advanced resort and is populated by strange, “vicious-looking” animals. Going there means accompanying his dad and older brother, Dapo, however. Femi isn’t on the best terms with either of them, for different but equally significant reasons. Mr. Fatona, who found his own “passion in organometallic chemistry,” disapproves of his son’s music career dreams and wants him to continue his formal education. Last summer, Dapo was severely injured in a life-changing accident that Femi feels was his fault. Femi’s mum opts out in favor of a Malta trip with her own friends and hopes the Darlenia excursion will force father and sons to repair their cracked bonds. But soon after their arrival, the animals break free of the island’s control systems and start hunting the tourists. As Femi and his family try to outsmart the terrifying predators, they uncover the island’s hidden history of exploitation and destructive corporate greed. Oyemakinde’s sophomore novel balances nail-biting action with explorations of guilt, forgiveness, familial relationships, and the consequences of neocolonialism. The first-person narrative highlights the depth of Femi’s inner thoughts and emotions. Vivid imagery captures the awe-inducing, colorful world of Darlenia.
An engaging thrill ride of a story that spotlights a complex, relatable hero. (bonus scene) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: yesterday
ISBN: 9781250868169
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense.
Everyone believes that Salil Singh killed his girlfriend, Andrea Bell, five years ago—except Pippa Fitz-Amobi.
Pip has known and liked Sal since childhood; he’d supported her when she was being bullied in middle school. For her senior capstone project, Pip researches the disappearance of former Fairview High student Andie, last seen on April 18, 2014, by her younger sister, Becca. The original investigation concluded with most of the evidence pointing to Sal, who was found dead in the woods, apparently by suicide. Andie’s body was never recovered, and Sal was assumed by most to be guilty of abduction and murder. Unable to ignore the gaps in the case, Pip sets out to prove Sal’s innocence, beginning with interviewing his younger brother, Ravi. With his help, Pip digs deeper, unveiling unsavory facts about Andie and the real reason Sal’s friends couldn’t provide him with an alibi. But someone is watching, and Pip may be in more danger than she realizes. Pip’s sleuthing is both impressive and accessible. Online articles about the case and interview transcripts are provided throughout, and Pip’s capstone logs offer insights into her thought processes as new evidence and suspects arise. Jackson’s debut is well-executed and surprises readers with a connective web of interesting characters and motives. Pip and Andie are white, and Sal is of Indian descent.
A treat for mystery readers who enjoy being kept in suspense. (Mystery. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-9848-9636-0
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Delacorte
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2019
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