A promising, culturally rich, Filipino-infused fantasy series opener.
The heir apparent to a fairy-realm kingdom must ascend the throne after her father dies.
Half-human/half-encanto Maria Josephina “MJ” Robertson-Rodriguez, who’s been hiding in the human world of Southern California with her mortal mother, is confronted by magical beings, who announce that her father, King Vivencio Basilio of the Sirena Court, is dead, and that she’s in danger. MJ is taken to Biringan, “the hidden fairy realm of the Philippine islands,” and she soon realizes that no amount of schooling by her mother or correspondence from her father could have prepared her for its magical vastness—or the political disarray threatening her succession. As her queenly coronation looms, she attends the Biringan Academy of Noble Arts (where not even her peers from other kingdoms can be trusted), participates in council meetings with other royals (who question her ability to rule), and anxiously waits for her magical powers to manifest. MJ also investigates the late king’s death, aided by new friend Phoenix “Nix” Xing (a fellow hapcanto) and unlikely ally Sir Lucas Invierno—and discovers a dark magic that could claim her life next. From the quirky nicknames to the terrifying mambabarangs, or witches, de la Cruz’s latest is rich in Filipino culture and mythology. MJ’s rapid acceptance as ruler of a magical kingdom that she left as a toddler is somewhat unconvincing, but the plot-driven story will please readers seeking constant action.
A promising, culturally rich, Filipino-infused fantasy series opener. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9780593533086
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters.
When star hockey player Alec Barczewski’s estranged childhood friend, Dani Collins, moves to town, they end up in a mutually beneficial fake-dating relationship that reignites old feelings.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mom move in with Dani’s hockey legend grandfather in Southview, Minnesota, where she spent a month every summer as a child and where her friendship with Alec grew. Between visits, the two were pen pals, but they eventually fell out of touch. Despite some tensions over their loss of friendship, the high school seniors reconnect. Desperate to get off Harvard’s waitlist, Dani needs another extracurricular activity, while Alec—whose reputation took a hit when a photo of him holding a bong appeared on social media—is eager to improve his tarnished image for NHL scouts. The pair strike a deal: They’ll fake date, making Alec look like a stable guy whose academically gifted girlfriend is related to hockey royalty, and in exchange, he’ll get Dani a team manager position that will catch the eye of Harvard’s admissions officers. Eventually, complicated feelings about their past, stressful family relationships, and their brewing romance boil over. Romance fans will love the deliciously tension-filled scenes between Alec and Dani, who are believable friends with heavy demands weighing on them. They feel like real teenagers, and readers will enjoy rooting for them as the well-paced story unfolds. Main characters present white.
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781665921268
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization.
Ellis Mitchell has her whole life planned out.
Heading into senior year, Ellis plans to study hard and crush it at the journalism internship her media executive dad got her, paving the way for her acceptance to Columbia University. But then Ellis’ parents announce they’re separating—and that Ellis and her mom will be heading to Bramble Falls to stay with her aunt and cousin. Furious that her careful plans have been upended, Ellis struggles to settle into the small, charming Connecticut town even as everyone around her gears up for the annual Falling Leaves Festival. Ellis runs into Cooper Barnett—her long-ago summer friend from visits to Aunt Naomi and cousin Sloane—who’s grown up to be very handsome. But Cooper isn’t pleased to see Ellis; he’s cold and curt, and she has no idea why. Wilson’s YA debut is chock-full of charm. Readers will swoon at Cooper’s and Ellis’ developing feelings following their frosty reunion and sympathize with Ellis’ difficulties even as Bramble Falls grows on her. She must choose between small-town community ties and big-city ambitions—between what her dad wants for her and what she really wants. Ellis’ relationships with her mom, aunt, and cousin are lovely and aspirational. The depiction of Bramble Falls is evocative, and the book contains enough seasonal delights to satisfy even the most devoted pumpkin spice latte lover. Main characters are cued white.
A delightfully autumnal small-town romance buoyed by strong characterization. (Romance. 13-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9781665975209
Page Count: 352
Publisher: McElderry
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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