Engrossing and thrilling—this reluctant reader title should not be missed.
A nonbinary teen embarks on an exciting adventure against space pirates.
Sixteen-year-old Brick is a friendless teenager trying to get by in a post-apocalyptic world. Now they must escape Earth. After Brick stole food rations, they become a wanted person; the scar across their fingers from warding off a knife attack and a handprint left behind at the scene of the crime were dead giveaways as to who the thief was. But on their way to the spaceship port, they meet local tough guy Amar, who becomes an unlikely ally. Amar knows that Brick is wanted, and he just wants to come along. He too hates it on Earth. And so together they help each other on their journey as stowaways to the moon. Brick’s crushing anxiety and fear of outer space become a little more bearable with Amar by their side. When the spaceship is invaded by pirates, Brick must choose between right and wrong and decide how far they’re willing to go for what’s right. Immersive from the get-go, this novel is a quick-paced gem. The story is action-packed, with a plot that is always moving forward but still offers plenty of room for heart-fluttering moments between the protagonists. Brick, who suffers from anxiety and panic attacks, is described as having brown skin and black hair; names cue diversity in the remaining cast.
Engrossing and thrilling—this reluctant reader title should not be missed. (Science fiction. 12-18)Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2023
ISBN: 9781459836600
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 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
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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