A South Asian–inspired fantasy with a strong female lead.
When rebel Esha and soldier Kunal join forces to fight for the land they love, they risk their lives—and their budding relationship.
In this sequel to The Tiger at Midnight (2019), Esha and Kunal travel to the royal city of Gwali for the annual Sun Mela alongside the Crescent Blades, the rebel group that Esha leads. This time, their mission is to save deposed Dharkan prince Harun’s sister, princess Reha, from Vardaan, the usurper king of Jansa, who is also Harun and Reha’s uncle. Harun’s interest in his sister goes beyond family ties: Reha’s magical blood is necessary to seal the ancient janma bond with the gods that protects the lands of both Dharka and Jansa. Before performing the ceremony, Harun plans to use his sister to restore his family to the throne. As Esha and Kunal work together with the Crescent Blades, loyalties are tested, trusts are betrayed, and promises are broken—especially after Esha discovers that the soldiers who killed her parents are attending the Mela, providing her with a chance to avenge her family’s deaths, but only at the cost of the mission. Teerdhala’s Hindu-mythology–inspired world is richly drawn, and the book’s fight scenes are detailed and action packed. At times, however, her prose is confusing, making the plot difficult to follow, especially for readers unfamiliar with the first book.
A South Asian–inspired fantasy with a strong female lead. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: May 26, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-06-286924-1
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
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
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations.
Magic, mystery, and love intertwine and invite in this newest take on the “enchanted circus” trope.
Sisters raised by their abusive father, a governor of a colonial backwater in a world vaguely reminiscent of the late 18th century, Scarlett and Donatella each long for something more. Scarlett, olive-skinned, dark of hair and attitude, longs for Caraval, the fabled, magical circus helmed by the possibly evil Master Legend Santos, while blonde, sunny Tella finds comfort in drink and the embraces of various men. A slightly awkward start, with inconsistencies of attitude and setting, rapidly smooths out when they, along with handsome “golden-brown” sailor Julian, flee to Caraval on the eve of Scarlett’s arranged marriage. Tella disappears, and Scarlett must navigate a nighttime world of magic to find her. Caraval delights the senses: beautiful and scary, described in luscious prose, this is a show readers will wish they could enter. Dresses can be purchased for secrets or days of life; clocks can become doors; bridges move: this is an inventive and original circus, laced with an edge of horror. A double love story, one sensual romance and the other sisterly loyalty, anchors the plot, but the real star here is Caraval and its secrets.
Immersive and engaging, despite some flaws, and destined to capture imaginations. (Fantasy. 14 & up)Pub Date: Jan. 31, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-09525-1
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2016
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