The Broken Earth trilogy concludes with The Stone Sky, an unputdownable final installment in author N.K. Jemisin‘s latest SFF series. Separated by the most recent Fifth Season, Essun and Nassun find themselves on a collision course as they race to end their planet’s seismic flux, once and for all. As you might have guessed, the following may spoil the events of The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate, my reviews of which you can read here and here. Continue reading
I’ve written a lot about the need for diversity in kidlit, and New Zealander illustrator Katie O’Neill‘s Princess Princess Ever After hits on all the right notes. Told through O’Neill’s vibrant depictions, this love story of two young princesses saving towns from monsters and fighting back against dark magic will delight readers of all ages. Continue reading
Phantom of the Opera retellings are pretty rare, but they’re ripe for the YA picking. A young woman with two male love interests, one of whom abuses her to get what he wants? It’s Twilight all over again. A.G. Howard‘s Phantom of the Opera retelling, RoseBlood, attempts to subvert the problems of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel, but is unfortunately sunk by other issues before the love story kicks off. Continue reading
In terms of a novel’s potential, I don’t think I’ve read any bit of publisher’s copy more convincing than that of Destiny Soria‘s Iron Cast. Set in 1919 Boston, this young adult title centers on Ada and Corinne: two teenage hemopaths whose ability to use blood magic marks them as inhuman. What could have been a dark and gripping tale of magic and mystery in a Jazz Age underground ultimately fizzles out before it ever really sparks an interest. Continue reading
The Broken Earth trilogy continues with The Obelisk Gate, and author N.K. Jemisin certainly hasn’t lost any passion for telling Essun’s story. The Obelisk Gate unfolds the dramatic early days of the Stillness’ latest Season, without losing the steam generated by its predecessor. But before we dive in, a warning: This review contains possible spoilers for The Fifth Season, my review of which you can read here. Continue reading