A droll, charming protagonist carries this uproarious magic-laden tale over the finish line.
The titular superpowered teen returns in this YA urban fantasy sequel, facing off against an evil threatening the lives of many—including the boy he’s crushing on.
It’s a fairly typical day for Jestin Kase, battling a giant monster in Chicago. The 15-year-old fights with magical, ancient Dragon Metal, which flows through his veins and can be manipulated to create armor and weapons. Jestin learns there’s something sinister afoot when he comes across an elf called Tirich, who hunts the entity that cursed his people with demon power. Meanwhile, a stranger wielding magic chains has been killing elves for unknown reasons. These dark doings connect to a being Tirich calls “Master of the Terrors of Shadow.” This malevolent presence covers the city in eldritch tendrils, putting millions in peril, including Jacob Colt, the boy Jestin may be interested in dating. Confronting this crisis, Jestin must rely upon people he doesn’t entirely trust, and his debilitating panic attacks make everything all the more grueling. Humor abounds in White’s tale as Jestin compulsively quips in all manner of potentially lethal circumstances: “I’m fine. Totally not crazy. Now let’s go talk to the vampire elf of living shadow sitting in our dungeon.” While this emphasis on comedy somewhat dampens suspense, Jestin’s genuinely funny sarcasm enlivens action scenes that showcase golems, blood-drinking elves, and a variety of creatures sporting claws and sharp teeth. More serious story elements also register, most notably Jestin’s concern for Colt, though their relationship develops here at a frustratingly slow pace. Still, the plucky teen hero and his faerie cat, Growly McHissy-Face, make for a wonderful duo.
A droll, charming protagonist carries this uproarious magic-laden tale over the finish line.Pub Date: May 30, 2023
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 376
Publisher: Teer Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind.
In this companion novel to 2013’s If He Had Been With Me, three characters tell their sides of the story.
Finn’s narrative starts three days before his death. He explores the progress of his unrequited love for best friend Autumn up until the day he finally expresses his feelings. Finn’s story ends with his tragic death, which leaves his close friends devastated, unmoored, and uncertain how to go on. Jack’s section follows, offering a heartbreaking look at what it’s like to live with grief. Jack works to overcome the anger he feels toward Sylvie, the girlfriend Finn was breaking up with when he died, and Autumn, the girl he was preparing to build his life around (but whom Jack believed wasn’t good enough for Finn). But when Jack sees how Autumn’s grief matches his own, it changes their understanding of one another. Autumn’s chapters trace her life without Finn as readers follow her struggles with mental health and balancing love and loss. Those who have read the earlier book will better connect with and feel for these characters, particularly since they’ll have a more well-rounded impression of Finn. The pain and anger is well written, and the novel highlights the most troublesome aspects of young adulthood: overconfidence sprinkled with heavy insecurities, fear-fueled decisions, bad communication, and brash judgments. Characters are cued white.
A heavy read about the harsh realities of tragedy and their effects on those left behind. (author’s note, content warning) (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781728276229
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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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