by Melissa Poett ‧ RELEASE DATE: yesterday
A retelling that stands on its own, strongest in its romance elements.
Isadora and Tristan’s magical connection may prove to be their undoing: Isadora’s father heads the five united clans that are fighting the Kingsland, which is led by Tristan’s father.
In a post-apocalyptic world, blond 18-year-old healer Isadora tends the wounded using herbs and handwoven bandages. There’s an ongoing war between the clans, which her father founded and leads, and the faction called the Kingsland, the other group that survived the bombs that destroyed civilization 37 years ago. When Isadora ventures to the front lines to help the injured and gets lost, she stumbles upon Tristan, whom she immediately identifies by his clothes as one of the Kingsland. While at first this attractive young man with a strong jaw is her captive, one of his people shoots her with a poisoned arrow, reversing their roles. The only way to save her life is for them to marry, making her part of Kingsland and allowing Tristan to magically absorb the poison. Their bond is tested when Isadora learns truths about the conflict that contradict what she’s been taught, and both sides try to break the lovers up through treachery and deception. This debut, based on the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, is light on worldbuilding, leaving readers to wonder about aspects of the backstory. The enemies-to-lovers romance between the white-presenting leads hits the right notes, however, and the epilogue gives hope for the future.
A retelling that stands on its own, strongest in its romance elements. (map) (Post-apocalyptic romance. 13-18)Pub Date: yesterday
ISBN: 9780063432611
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
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by Lauren Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 7, 2023
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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by Kelsey Impicciche ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 22, 2025
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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