For fans of the series: fun but not noteworthy.
The second book of the Effigies trilogy, Siege of Shadows (2017), ended with Maia Finley’s twin sister, June, having returned from the dead to fight for the villains.
This novel opens with Maia floating in the English Channel after Ice Effigy Belle stabbed her in the chest. Maia, Chae Rin, and Lake now have to join forces with what is left of those loyal to the Sect to fight the terrorist Saul, traitorous Sect agents, genetically engineered Effigies, and Belle, who’s gone off script. Maia also has to scry into the memories of Marian, the original Fire Effigy, so she can defeat Saul for good. However, she must face Natalya in order to see them, and she fears she is not strong enough. The more memories of Marian’s she sees, the more unbelievable the arrival of the phantoms and beginning of the Effigies’ legacy seems. While this book features ample ethnic diversity both in main and secondary characters, as well as impressive worldbuilding with fun science-fiction gadgets and a visit to the three Fates, it reads much like a wild soap opera. The plot lacks originality, and there is little to no character development throughout the series. Although there are some wonderful ideas and the writing is engaging, readers may feel as if they have read this story before.
For fans of the series: fun but not noteworthy. (Fantasy. 13-17)Pub Date: Dec. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6683-7
Page Count: 512
Publisher: Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 1, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
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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