A refreshingly vulnerable and candid protagonist cements this story’s appeal.
A teen’s life goes topsy-turvy thanks to secrets, lies, and a romantic bargain with a crush.
Falencia “Fancy” Augustine is a 15-year-old Black girl of Haitian descent. Fancy doesn’t do well with change and also has issues with focusing, which have resulted in her falling behind in several classes. She generally feels like an outcast except when she’s with her best friend, Tilly Fischer. When Fancy learns that Tilly has kept secrets from her—she has a new boyfriend and was invited to the exclusive birthday party of Imani Parker, the most popular girl in school—she’s thrown off kilter. The threat of being sent to Haiti if her grades don’t improve also hangs over her head (“‘vacation Haiti’ and ‘sent-back Haiti’ are two very different things”). Anxiety attacks, fast-spreading “Voodoo witch” rumors, and impulsive decisions lead Fancy to agree to a deal with Imani: She can come to the party; she just needs to show up with a boyfriend. Fancy persuades Rahim Robinson, her crush, to fake date her in exchange for a potion. But how will she untangle this complicated web? Arnold’s multidimensional lead organically pulls readers into the story: Fancy is flawed, self-aware, and charming, and her open and direct nature and often-humorous delivery are appealing. This novel also thoughtfully explores themes of friendship, romance, identity, and body image. Most cast members are Black.
A refreshingly vulnerable and candid protagonist cements this story’s appeal. (Romance. 12-17)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9780316568005
Page Count: 224
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice.
A fall romance with a New England backdrop.
Autumn leaves aren’t the only stunning thing to hit the town of Briar Glen—so has good-looking new boy Jack Harper, and Lucy Kane is enamored with both. Her new crush is the perfect thing to take her mind off the fact that Java Junction, part of a global chain, is opening across the street from Cup o’ Jo, Lucy’s mother’s coffee shop, where they take pride in baking everything from scratch and avoiding artificial ingredients. But there’s more than coincidence in the timing of the arrivals of both Jack and Java Junction: The Harper family moved to Briar Glen specifically to open this franchise location, which will bring competition that threatens Cup o’ Jo. This scenario has the makings of a perfect autumnal adversaries-to-lovers romance, but the writing lacks charm and chemistry. Jack seems to be completely enamored with Lucy, but her character isn’t sufficiently developed to warrant his attention. Lucy’s friends are continually supportive of her but have few distinguishing characteristics, and the story is weakened by confusing timelines and repetitive elements. The resolution relies upon successes that come too easily and do not feel earned. Major characters are cued white.
A promising premise that’s lacking in spice. (Romance. 12-16)Pub Date: Aug. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781339030753
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart.
After praying to a Fate for help, Evangeline discovers the dangerous world of magic.
When her father passes away, Evangeline is left with her cold stepmother and kind but distant stepsister, Marisol. Despite inheriting a steady trust in magic, belief in her late mother’s homeland of the mystical North (where fantastical creatures live), and philosophy of hope for the future, her dreams are dashed when Luc, her love, pledges to marry Marisol instead. Evangeline desperately prays to the Prince of Hearts, a dangerous and fickle Fate famed for his heart that is waiting to be revived by his one true love—and his potentially lethal kisses. The bargain they strike sends her on a dark and magical journey throughout the land. The writing style fluctuates from clever and original to overly verbose and often confusing in its jumble of senses. While the pervasive magic and concept of the Fates as a religious system add interest, other fantasy elements are haphazardly incorporated without enough time devoted to building a cohesive world. However, the themes of love, the power of story, family influence, and holding onto belief are well rounded and add depth. The plot contains welcome surprises, and the large cast piques curiosity; readers will wish more time was spent getting to know them. Evangeline has rose-gold hair and, like other main characters, reads as White; there is diversity among the fantasy races in this world.
A lushly written story with an intriguing heart. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: Sept. 28, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-250-26839-6
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2021
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