A sincere and compelling fantasy story for those who feel like outcasts.
One girl must choose between her own safety and the survival of those she loves in Blake and Raven Penn’s YA fantasy novel.
Meleya of Misthaven is a magi, a person who possesses magical powers. She lives in the land of Evgard, a medieval-like realm where being a magi is illegal. Her parents were arrested for breaking this very law and now reside in prison, where they’ll remain until Meleya serves her time in the dragon guard as a proxy soldier. While in training, Meleya makes friends with Solvai, whose father died in battle and whose mother is an experienced soldier, and Brigan, an heir to a noble title. Also on their squad is Bjorn, who loathes magi with a passion, and Edrea, who’s ambitious and hates anyone who gets in her way. Everything is going according to plan—Solvai is made captain and Meleya and Brigan bond with dragons—when their home is attacked and Meleya has to make a drastic decision. She can either stay safe and sacrifice the lives of the guard’s dragons, or she can save them and reveal herself to be a magi, putting herself and her parents in danger. Meleya knows what she what must do, even if the consequences are drastic. She and her squad are moved to the Outcast Outpost in the dangerous lands known as Dragon Mists, where unspeakable horrors await them. The authors return to The Skystone Chronicles for another great fantasy adventure with magic, dragons, and more. Meleya is a wonderful heroine with convincing internal struggles over being a magi (“My head was buzzing, my pulse out of control. What was I thinking? Using etherarchy out in the open?”) and anxiety about the fate of her parents, as well as inspiring willpower and a heart of gold. Her friends, Solvai and Brigan, are compelling characters with their own complexities and personal turmoil. This story of oppression, war, and political intrigue is well balanced by a fun sense of adventure and entertaining humor.
A sincere and compelling fantasy story for those who feel like outcasts.Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023
ISBN: 9798987789544
Page Count: 502
Publisher: Good Lux Creative
Review Posted Online: Nov. 30, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
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
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder.
Despite living her happily-ever-after, Evangeline can’t help but strive to recover her lost memories in this trilogy closer.
Evangeline Fox awakens in the strong arms of Prince Apollo, her apparent husband, who swears to protect her from the evil Lord Jacks, who stole her memories. Unfortunately, Evangeline remembers nothing of her long and complex journey in the Magnificent North or her past romances; only the pain in her heart lets her know something is missing. At Wolf Hall, Evangeline seeks ways to unlock her missing memories, including enlisting the help of a mysterious guard named Archer, even as Apollo’s behavior becomes more and more controlling. The pacing and plot feel stagnant at first, with Evangeline remembering things in flashes and moments of brief feelings, but things finally pick up once her memories return. With the point of view rotating among Evangeline, Apollo, and Jacks, there are few narrative surprises, but it’s intriguing to delve into the minds of an antagonist and a Fate. The story’s inclusion of the legendary Valors and the fantastical fairy-tale setting are unfortunately overshadowed by the love triangle’s dramatic tug-of-war romance. Likewise, the book’s various themes—power, hope, stories, and the nature of humanity—are of interest but handled in an unfocused way. The conclusion, at least, is satisfying, and it hints at future tales set in this world. Evangeline, Jacks, and Archer read white; Apollo has dark hair and olive skin.
Frustratingly slow and lacking in magical wonder. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781250851208
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2023
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
