A sequel of surprising depth and drama
Lily faces new trials against the ever enigmatic Lillian, the monstrous Woven, and, to her surprise, her own morality.
Three months after her disappearance from our world in Trial by Fire (2014), Lily re-emerges severely burned, barely alive, and with her Outlander companion, Rowan, in tow. Rowan toils to save his beloved witch, brewing magical concoctions with the help of a bewildered Juliet. While they work, Lily drifts in the Mist and mindspeaks with Lillian, experiencing her enemy’s painful memories. Lillian wants Lily to understand why she’s become a murderer; she believes her truth will bring Lily over to her side. Old friends seek out Lily, and they’re just as drawn to her as her mechanics in the other universe were. This is a boon, since she’s soon under attack from the other universe as Lillian realizes only violence will bring her back. Lily learns the hard way that decisions in war aren’t so simple and that those she holds dearest will silence her if she dares challenge their beliefs. Much time is devoted to the intricacies of both Lily’s and her mechanics' talents, deepening intrigue of the parallel world and its social hierarchies. While Rowan is so nearly perfect readers will tire themselves out wondering when he’ll reveal his flaws, Lily’s evolution is thrilling, and readers will eagerly follow her into battle, just like her devoted mechanics.
A sequel of surprising depth and drama . (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-250-05090-8
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2015
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 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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