Part coming-of-age, part magical adventure, this fast-paced and inclusive book is sure to please dragon fans.
There is nothing quite like Blazewrath because no other sport is played on the backs of dragons.
Seventeen-year-old Floridian Lana Torres has one dream in life: to become the Runner for Team Puerto Rico in the Blazewrath Games. Runners are the only players without dragons, but they are no less important for that. Unfortunately, Lana’s dreams may be dashed by the Sire, a former dragon cursed by his rider into human form in order to contain his murderous rampage. Now, after 20 years, he is back, seeking revenge and freeing Un-Bonded dragons all over the world. Lana’s quick thinking and cool head during an attack on Waxbyrne, a wand shop, starts her down a path to Blazewrath glory—but also leaves her inexplicably tied to the Sire, whose plans she thwarted. She now faces unanticipated violence and conspiracy involving the International Blazewrath Federation, the International Bureau of Magical Matters, the Sire, and even her favorite Blazewrath legend, Takeshi Endo. The worldbuilding is well thought out; the dragons have interesting powers and abilities, with their own individual personalities; and the action sequences are exciting and easy to follow. The world feels naturally inclusive, with numerous queer and ethnically and culturally diverse characters. Throughout, dark-brown–skinned Lana, whose mother is White and father is Puerto Rican, grapples with her self-identity, slowly growing into herself by the end of the book.
Part coming-of-age, part magical adventure, this fast-paced and inclusive book is sure to please dragon fans. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-64567-079-7
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: July 5, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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
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