A thrilling sequel that masterfully expands the world introduced in the previous novel in the series.
Caroline Oresteia, captain of the Vix and chosen of the sea god, is finding revolution boring.
Markos Andela (known as Tarquin Meredios in the previous volume) is attempting to get support from Akhaian nobles: His hope is to bring about a bloodless revolution with the help of Antidoros Peregrine. But while Markos recovers after a failed assassination attempt, he receives an offer from the Archon of Eryth to marry his daughter; the Archon will in return support Markos’ claim to the Akhaian throne. Thinking of the greater good, Caro decides to break off her relationship with Markos and spurs him to take up the Archon’s offer. At Markos’ request, Caro delivers a letter of his acceptance of the proposal to the Archon. Caro prepares to return to Markos with his new bride-to-be, Agnes, in tow. However, the sea god demands that Caro make a choice: Break her ties with Markos and serve her…or else. When Caro does not choose in time, the sea god takes revenge. Caro’s adventures and struggles to change her fate will leave readers on the edges of their seats. The previous title indicated that auburn-haired, light-brown–skinned Caro is biracial, while Markos is pale-skinned; other characters in this book represent diversity through a variety of skin tones.
A thrilling sequel that masterfully expands the world introduced in the previous novel in the series. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: June 5, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-68119-299-4
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: April 9, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters.
When star hockey player Alec Barczewski’s estranged childhood friend, Dani Collins, moves to town, they end up in a mutually beneficial fake-dating relationship that reignites old feelings.
Following her parents’ divorce, Dani and her mom move in with Dani’s hockey legend grandfather in Southview, Minnesota, where she spent a month every summer as a child and where her friendship with Alec grew. Between visits, the two were pen pals, but they eventually fell out of touch. Despite some tensions over their loss of friendship, the high school seniors reconnect. Desperate to get off Harvard’s waitlist, Dani needs another extracurricular activity, while Alec—whose reputation took a hit when a photo of him holding a bong appeared on social media—is eager to improve his tarnished image for NHL scouts. The pair strike a deal: They’ll fake date, making Alec look like a stable guy whose academically gifted girlfriend is related to hockey royalty, and in exchange, he’ll get Dani a team manager position that will catch the eye of Harvard’s admissions officers. Eventually, complicated feelings about their past, stressful family relationships, and their brewing romance boil over. Romance fans will love the deliciously tension-filled scenes between Alec and Dani, who are believable friends with heavy demands weighing on them. They feel like real teenagers, and readers will enjoy rooting for them as the well-paced story unfolds. Main characters present white.
A compelling romance inhabited by complex and appealing characters. (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 30, 2025
ISBN: 9781665921268
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
SEEN & HEARD
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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