Intergalactic intrigue, a little romance, and a lot of action make for good vibes in this space saga.
Two 17-year-olds who were bonded at birth through matching implanted microchips escape attempts on their life.
Joy Mirari Abara is based on Hali-Monchuri, a planet devastated by the colonizing, imperialistic Qadin family. This same family instituted the Kindred program that bonded poor commoner Joy, mind and body, to the handsome, black-haired, dark brown–skinned Duke Felix Hamdi in a notably unconventional match. Joy’s dark-brown skin and weight are critiqued by Maxon, the boy her mother chose as her betrothed, but to Felix, she’s everything he’s ever wanted, though he must hide his care for her—both his Kindred and his love. When all the reigning Qadin family members are assassinated, and Joy and Felix are accused of the murders, they leave their galaxy in search of a way to prove their innocence. They find Terra, our Earth, and through friendships with humans and other aliens, they realize they may also find ways to save their planet and relationship. The pacing is uneven at times: Pages of characters’ reflections are followed by bursts of disjointed action, and quite a bit of the exposition is shared in flashbacks dotted throughout the novel, interrupting the flow. However, body-positive messages and brilliant, considerate queer representation demonstrate abundant heart. The character development is comprehensive, even for those on the periphery, and the attention to technological and language details is fun and focused.
Intergalactic intrigue, a little romance, and a lot of action make for good vibes in this space saga. (Science fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-335-41861-6
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2021
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
A charming cozy fantasy about defying expectations and finding love.
The lives of two Los Angeles girls inhabiting different universes intersect, proving that love knows no bounds.
Brenda Nguyen has a 19-step plan to save the world. Kat Woo is haunted by her legacy as the chosen one, a role she has no interest in. Brenda, working on an environmental science college scholarship application, stumbles into Sammy’s Coffee and Pick-Me-Ups, which Kat’s family owns. As the girls get to know each other, Brenda at last finds someone who’ll listen to her detailed plans, while Kat discovers she has something to look forward to. The girls, who alternate narrating the story, must defy the odds as their worlds begin to collide. As well as being a love story, this is an exploration of familial expectations: Kat is trying to outrun them, while Brenda is driven to fulfill hers. The girls, who are of Chinese and Vietnamese descent, respectively, complement each other: Brenda learns to live in the present, and Kat begins to look to the future. While there are pixie swarms and mana surges, the action takes a back seat to characterization. Lee’s fully developed parallel worlds are alike in many ways, although in Kat’s, you can buy teleportation spells at Target. The cast is rounded out by solid portrayals of the girls’ friends and family, who are important to the plot.
A charming cozy fantasy about defying expectations and finding love. (author’s note, recommended reading) (Fantasy romance. 14-18)Pub Date: June 10, 2025
ISBN: 9781250778024
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
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