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LITTORAL MAGIC

BOOK ONE OF ALL OCEANS AGLOW

An ambitious and imaginative series opener that mixes ecological allegory with character-driven fantasy.

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A teenager grieving the loss of her father discovers a mysterious connection with two young otters from rival tribes in Mason and Moore’s YA fantasy novel, the first in a series.

Thirteen-year-old Ayana Outerbridge is headed north with her mother for another summer at her grandparents’ isolated homestead on the Pacific Northwest coast. Once these trips were times of joy—now, the experience feels hollow (“One minute, Ayana had a father. The next ― POOF! ― she didn’t”). At the same time, in the waters just offshore, a young river otter named Sleek violates tribal law by entering a sacred cave to retrieve a magical gift for Gloss, the headstrong daughter of the sea otter king. The cave—once part of a luminous, mind-awakening realm known as Liminal—has been overrun by a monstrous predator, and Sleek’s trespass could reignite the war between the river and sea otters. Gloss chafes under the strict rules that forbid females from hunting or wielding weapons. Her clandestine efforts to prove herself collide with Sleek’s mission. Unbeknownst to both of them, Ayana’s fate may be linked to theirs. The story effectively blends naturalism with high fantasy. The authors construct a dense but coherent mythos that frames the ocean as both a literal and symbolic frontier, rendering underwater societies with distinct hierarchies, dialects, and beliefs. Gloss, in particular, emerges as a standout character—a female warrior determined to break caste and gender restrictions (“I will defend my Raft just as you do. Better than you do.”) Ayana’s arc is more introspective, centering around her grief and alienation. Her skin condition (vitiligo) and conversations with her late father’s memory add emotional depth, though her connection to the fantasy plotline remains mostly suggestive in this first volume in Mason and Moore’s series. While the novel’s early chapters can be dense with exposition, especially in the undersea scenes, the pacing soon quickens, and readers are rewarded with richly imagined action, interpersonal tension, and a final act that sets the stage for an expansive saga.

An ambitious and imaginative series opener that mixes ecological allegory with character-driven fantasy.

Pub Date: March 1, 2025

ISBN: 9781735833019

Page Count: 524

Publisher: N/A

Review Posted Online: May 5, 2025

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POWERLESS

From the Powerless Trilogy series , Vol. 1

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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WINGS OF STARLIGHT

A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship.

Shortly before the new queen’s coronation, a monster wreaks havoc, forcing a young fairy princess to intervene at her own risk.

In Pixie Hollow, the Never Fairies of Spring, Summer, and Autumn work to create seasons for the humans on the Mainland, while the fairies of Winter remain apart in the Winter Woods. Clarion, a governing-talent fairy who’s soon to take over as queen of Pixie Hollow, often looks wonderingly at the Winter Woods. But crossing the border is against the rules set forth by her mentor, Queen Elvina. When a monster from Winter breaks free and enters Spring, Clarion bristles at Elvina’s dismissal. Determined to be involved, she secretly travels to Winter, meets with Milori, the Warden of the Winter Woods, and learns that the land is nothing like what she’s heard, making her wonder what else the queen has been untruthful about. Together Milori and Clarion work to discover the secrets of Pixie Hollow, which may save them—or lead to death. Set in a magical place of flowers and pixie dust, this story considers the control we have over the roles we’re assigned. Clarion is a beautifully complex character—strong yet insecure, lovable due to her willingness to prioritize relationships over rules. Themes of fear, forbidden love, and good vs. evil are present in this fast-paced, engaging tale. Main characters are cued white.

A magical story with a classic Disney feel exploring love, friendship, and leading amid hardship. (Fantasy. 12-18)

Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2025

ISBN: 9781368098458

Page Count: 400

Publisher: Disney Press

Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024

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