Readers wanting a real taste of Austen won’t find it, but it’s a pleasant enough sojourn in her world regardless
Farrant bravely takes on Pride and Prejudice from the point of view of the youngest Bennet sister.
This tale offers a peek into the life of 15-year-old Lydia Bennet, the youngest of the infamous Bennet sisters who grace the romantic stage of Pride and Prejudice. Farrant’s Lydia Bennet is a flighty, boisterous tomboy who likes to ride horses and shoot guns by day, easily switching gears to wear her finest dresses at any prestigious ball that she can attend. In the spirit of the time, like every eligible young British teenager of privilege, Lydia lets her eyes roam every public event, hoping to find the perfect suitor, one who will take her on worldly adventures and rescue her from life with her dull family—which, readers will note, is characterized by servants, glamorous balls, and no chores. This story is a whimsical introduction for teen readers who have yet to taste the waters of the world of Mr. Darcy, and yes, readers get a few glimpses of the dark brooding aristocrat because, as with all things Bennet, Darcy is always lurking nearby. Despite the title, the novel offers little in the way of secrets, as this tale is necessarily predictable, and Lydia’s voice and interpolated scenes don’t do enough to give it real originality. Yet at the same time, there is a charming humor that Farrant does manage to capture for readers who want to take another romp in the Bennet household.
Readers wanting a real taste of Austen won’t find it, but it’s a pleasant enough sojourn in her world regardless . (Historical fiction. 13-17)Pub Date: Oct. 25, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-545-94031-3
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Chicken House/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 27, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
Bound to be popular.
A suddenly trendy trope—conflict and romance between members of conquering and enslaved races—enlivened by fantasy elements loosely drawn from Arabic tradition (another trend!).
In an original, well-constructed fantasy world (barring some lazy naming), the Scholars have lived under Martial rule for 500 years, downtrodden and in many cases enslaved. Scholar Laia has spent a lifetime hiding her connection to the Resistance—her parents were its leaders—but when her grandparents are killed and her brother’s captured by Masks, the eerie, silver-faced elite soldiers of the Martial Empire, Laia must go undercover as a slave to the terrifying Commandant of Blackcliff Military Academy, where Martials are trained for battle. Meanwhile, Elias, the Commandant’s not-at-all-beloved son, wants to run away from Blackcliff, until he is named an Aspirant for the throne by the mysterious red-eyed Augurs. Predictably, action, intrigue, bloodshed and some pounding pulses follow; there’s betrayal and a potential love triangle or two as well. Sometimes-lackluster prose and a slight overreliance on certain kinds of sexual violence as a threat only slightly diminish the appeal created by familiar (but not predictable) characters and a truly engaging if not fully fleshed-out fantasy world.
Bound to be popular. (Fantasy. 13 & up)Pub Date: April 28, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-59514-803-2
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2015
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