by Susan Vaught ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 18, 2014
Readers content to do without the plotted throughline of a novel will find plenty of effective horror set pieces here
A psychiatric hospital in Never, Ky., forms the locus for all sorts of occult and paranormal activities.
Forest has just aged out of the foster-care system and is new on the job at Lincoln Psychiatric, hoping to earn enough money to get to college. Darius has also just taken a job at Lincoln to save money for college. Trina is Darius’ girlfriend, and she leaves college to take an internship at Lincoln. And Levi—since Levi was murdered and then brought back to life (sort of) by his grandmother, “granny-woman” Imogene—has haunted the halls of Lincoln, helping the recently dead “cross over” and keeping tabs on all of the malevolent spirits that Lincoln seems to attract. Though born at and living in different times, the four teens converge for a series of paranormal adventures. In four linked novellas, each teen tells a story of utmost creepiness, but aside from the locale and atmosphere, there is little overarching logic. The paranormal knack that comes with “Madoc blood”—descent from the Welsh prince who, according to folklore, came to the New World in 1170—is one element, but there’s also witchcraft and plenty of garden-variety evil. The central question of exactly what makes Lincoln such a magnet for ghosts, haints, shades and whatnot is never satisfactorily addressed.
Readers content to do without the plotted throughline of a novel will find plenty of effective horror set pieces here . (Horror. 14 & up)Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-59990-784-0
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: Dec. 17, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2014
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More by Susan Vaught
BOOK REVIEW
by Susan Vaught ; illustrated by Kelly Murphy
BOOK REVIEW
by Susan Vaught
BOOK REVIEW
by Susan Vaught
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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