A gripping, gorgeously written debut that refuses to play it safe.
In a kingdom where wielding magic is treason, a girl must conceal her dangerous truth—or risk her life.
Lady Alissa Paine, the olive-brown-skinned daughter of the ruler of the province of Vereen, lives in the kingdom of Daradon, where Wholeborns (those without magic) hunt Wielders (those born with powerful, sentient forces called specters). The Capewell family is infamous for producing those Wholeborns known as Hunters, though Alissa’s father—whose mother was a Capewell—is protected by his title from having to go after Wielders himself. Few know Alissa’s deadly secret: She’s a Wielder, too. Tradition demands she swear loyalty to the crown at the end of this year’s Rose Season, her 18th. Her father, fearful that her identity will be discovered, encourages her to retreat from the social events of the season. Despite this, Alissa is kidnapped by Wielders and thrust into the center of a political game—one with high stakes that could cost her everything. Azar’s trilogy opener is a deft blend of romantic tension, political intrigue, and magical suspense. The writing is lyrical and emotionally evocative, exploring themes of identity, persecution, and the fine line between love and betrayal. The pace quickens after a quiet start, and Azar deftly delivers a story set in a multiracial world that feels both intimate and epic. Alissa’s journey is heart-wrenching and complex, particularly as she navigates relationships.
A gripping, gorgeously written debut that refuses to play it safe. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780063427792
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Storytide/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 13, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: yesterday
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
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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