A busy YA fantasy novel with a solid story that will bewilder readers unfamiliar with previous series entries.
In Cox’s YA fantasy novel, the fourth in a series, two teens must aid an ancient race in defeating the darkness.
After spending time on Earth to mourn the loss of her mother and deal with real-life struggles involving school and family trouble, space-hopping teenager Ambrielle meets up with her crush, Gavian, to travel—using portals to return to the other worlds they’ve visited in the past. When passing through the citadel of Mekkinspire, Ambrielle notices that a legendarily impregnable vault that’s always remained sealed has now been opened, and she and Gavian resolve to track down the responsible party and learn what was removed. Following the trail to a mysterious glade, they discover that an ancient race has started to awaken. Ambrielle finds herself named as the next “awakener” and is joined by Wegin, a small orb and font of information that now acts as her guide. It’s imperative that Ambrielle awaken and gather as many warriors as she can to stop a looming, monstrous threat. As if this task weren’t enough, she and Gavian still need to navigate the other perils of the worlds they visit, including an impending war that might have already taken their friends and allies. The pair struggles to close rifts between worlds while trying to keep a rift from forming between themselves. The author deftly makes the characters feel authentic in their ages: Ambrielle steps up to do what needs to be done, but she still has typical teenage worries, like fretting over whether Gavian still likes her (“Maybe they didn’t have as much in common as she’d thought”) or debating whether to take some of the pretty jewelry she finds to show off to her friends. This is the fourth book in the Bewilderness series; interested readers should read the books in order. The author does a fair job of catching new readers up on the relevant previous adventures, but with so many unfamiliar names of places, people, and objects, readers who start the series with this installment will have an incredibly difficult time keeping up.
A busy YA fantasy novel with a solid story that will bewilder readers unfamiliar with previous series entries.Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9798986636870
Page Count: 300
Publisher: Silvettica
Review Posted Online: Nov. 30, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
After a slow start, an action-packed adventure about embracing vulnerability and trusting yourself.
In this debut by YouTuber Impicciche, a young siren princess is faced with a mission she cannot refuse.
Celeste’s mother, Queen Halia, has always considered her to be too emotional—like the irrational humans. In order to prove herself, Celeste has spent several cycles, the sirens’ unit of time, training to become a member of the Chorus, a militarized unit that patrols the seas. Before her final test, Celeste comes across an attractive human prince, Raiden, whose father is King Leonidas—her mother’s sworn enemy. She ends up saving Raiden’s life, but when her mother learns of her transgression, she offers Celeste the chance to go on a mission that requires her to become human and avoid being executed for treason. The narrative, which initially is strongly reminiscent of “The Little Mermaid,” has some slower moments and repetitive elements that are offset by witty commentary that helps engage readers. The opening drags, but the pace picks up as the story unfolds. Impicciche does a good job of creating a detailed world of siren customs and traditions. Her characters exhibit emotional depth, conveying what it feels like to be lost and betrayed. Sirens have skin of varying colors, including blue, purple, and green; Celeste’s skin is “soft peach.” Raiden presents white, and there’s racial diversity among other humans.
After a slow start, an action-packed adventure about embracing vulnerability and trusting yourself. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: April 22, 2025
ISBN: 9798212980906
Page Count: 432
Publisher: Blackstone
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
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