A wild and magical tale that will likely have readers eager for a sequel.
In Oey’s YA fantasy novel, a prince, desperate to escape the corruption of royal life, finds new troubles in the outside world.
Although his brother James revels in the power of the throne in the kingdom of Lanmar, the narrator of this tale fled the palace some time ago, adopting the moniker “Not James” to denote his aversion to everything that his family represents. Not James is wickedly clever, but he can’t escape his resemblance to his twin brother, the king, and the dangerous consequences it brings. Deemed a threat by the monarchy, Not James finds himself a hunted man, dodging assailants who employ manipulation and mayhem in their attempts to apprehend him, along with his traveling companion, Idrid. Not James vows to confront his brother, and as he and Idrid seek revenge, they uncover a magical conspiracy that challenges everything they thought they knew about the corruption of the king. Overall, Oey’s fast-paced fantasy work is a joy to read. Although the work is often humorous, it contains serious themes related to discrimination and the abuse of power, which justify a need for social change within Not James’ tumultuous kingdom. The story will be suitable for most audiences, as its language and violence is rarely graphic. The book’s hero, though irreverent, is a compassionate figure, and readers will enjoy his and Idrid’s witty dialogue as their antics create as much chaos as they avert. Oey’s supporting characters are also thoughtfully crafted—especially magicians Maia and Jasmine, whose supernatural gifts and moral quandaries are deeply relevant to the future of the entire realm. The story ends on a note of uncertainty for many of its characters, and it will keep readers guessing until the end.
A wild and magical tale that will likely have readers eager for a sequel.Pub Date: Dec. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9798366853491
Page Count: 366
Publisher: Manuscript
Review Posted Online: Nov. 29, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Raw, delicate, and deeply caring.
When Death-Cast doesn’t call, fate intertwines the lives of two boys, both haunted by their pasts and with futures they can’t escape.
In this third installment of the series that opened with 2017’s They Both Die at the End, Paz Dario waits every night for Death-Cast to call—as it should have for his father nearly 10 years ago, when Paz shot him to save his mother’s life. But the call never comes. Death-Cast killed Paz’s dreams of an acting career: No one will hire him now because the world sees him as a villain. When Paz tries (not for the first time) to put an end to his suffering, an unexpected encounter with Alano Rosa, the heir of Death-Cast, stops him. Both in a place of desperation, Alano and Paz sign a contract to live for Begin Days instead of waiting for their End Days. As suspenseful and emotionally wrenching as the previous titles in the series, this new installment explores heavy themes of abuse, mental health, self-harm, and suicide. Paz grapples with a recent diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Silvera surrounds Alano and Paz with a web of complex relationships. Although the protagonists fall fast for one another and form a deep connection over Alano’s desire to support Paz, Silvera emphasizes the importance of professional help. Both Alano and Paz have Puerto Rican heritage. The cliffhanger ending promises more to come.
Raw, delicate, and deeply caring. (content warning, resources) (Speculative fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9780063240858
Page Count: 720
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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
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