A well-developed fantasy spinoff that will transport teen readers.
War simmers in the land of Oz in this YA adventure based on the events in L. Frank Baum’s classic fantasy.
In Quadling Country, Samantha Goodwitch is the 15-year-old daughter of Glinda the Good. Eight years ago, her father, Lucius, disappeared in a green explosion; her stepsister, Elle, is the offspring of Lucius and the long-deceased Wicked Witch of the West. Messengers from Winkie Country arrive and deliver a scroll; Glinda learns of an “enchantress” who’s become Queen of the Winkies and wants to control of the City of Emeralds and the Wizard of Oz’s throne. Glinda decides to visit Rumpart, King of the Winkies, with a contingent of soldiers, including Elle. Sam wants to join them, but Glinda says she must guard the throne. With a sword she received for her 16th birthday, Sam decides to challenge the dragons said to menace nearby villages. She rehabilitates her father’s injured warhorse, researches dragons in the library, and creates a fireproof salve in preparation. She also begins having visions that tell her to “Find the Crow.” Will she, like the famous Dorothy Gale, find friends to help on her quest? Bartlett effectively builds on Baum’s series, which began with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), while also paying homage to other classic fantasy adventures, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit (1937). Readers new to the genre may find the first third of the story too placid, but solid worldbuilding establishes Sam as a magical character who can even fly but who still needs guidance. Overall, the book will be a treat for those who are familiar with previous Oz tales; Sam gradually assembles her own helpers, including Akasha the warrior cat, but Baum’s original heroes eventually do turn up, and warm nostalgia will greet fans as Sam sees “the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion” appear as “small specks on the hillside.” Although the protagonist learns a lesson (“everyone you love is all that matters”), it proves to be a costly one as the narrative unfurls. A grand surprise helps set up a potential sequel.
A well-developed fantasy spinoff that will transport teen readers.Pub Date: Sept. 20, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-73390-862-7
Page Count: 354
Publisher: Sandhill Publishers
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
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
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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