Captivating.
Sparrow struggles with her newly recognized identity as the Fateless—someone who can “unravel the fates and destinies of everyone they [touch]” but who has no fate or destiny of her own—and faces an impossible mission.
Former thief Sparrow suffers nightmares stemming from the events in series opener Fateless (2025), and the Deathless King continues to pose a threat throughout the lands. For people to have any chance of fighting back, Sparrow must find an artifact that may bestow upon her the powers of Maederyss, the goddess of Fate. This object is hidden within the dangerous lava-covered World Scar, where even the air is poisonous. Sparrow’s companions—Scarab Clan warrior Kysa and Halek the Fatechaser—swear to see the mission through with her, and they set off riding on their giant flying rock beetles. Raithe, the assassin who’s in a budding romantic relationship with Sparrow, joins them, but things grow complicated after they visit his mystic homeland of Irrikah. As the group traverses the Dead Lands, encountering foes and allies, deftly placed twists keep the pace engaging. Kagawa seamlessly incorporates plot points from the earlier book, making this entry accessible to new readers. The rich narrative is balanced, encompassing strong worldbuilding while developing each character’s emotional arc. The skillful weaving together of all these components results in a universe populated with fantasy-diverse characters that’s easy to get lost in. The cliffhanger ending will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next entry.
Captivating. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: July 7, 2026
ISBN: 9781335008466
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2026
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic.
An 18-year-old’s encounter with the pale, mysterious, golden-eyed Starmaker transforms her from hamlet girl to magical apprentice.
Aurora Finch discovers she possesses the rare ability to channel sunlight—magic essential to the survival of snow-covered Reverie, her mountain village, “with peaks so high the Sun [cannot] rise above them.” Now she faces a harsh choice: Leave everything behind to train at the Starmaker’s enchanted castle or die as the untapped magic destroys her from within. Griffin excels at worldbuilding; the story is filled with elements and characters that feel both whimsical and real, from Tilly, a living snow angel who’s searching for herself, to Constance, an immortal rabbit. As the antagonism between Aurora and the cold, centuries-old Starmaker melts, their love story, which forms the heart of this tale, crackles with tension. Aurora emerges as a compelling hero—stubborn and brave—who refuses to be diminished by the overwhelming responsibilities thrust upon her. The romantic storyline proves both strong and emotionally involving as the author brings fresh twists to familiar elements, exploring the power of stories and how they shape our understanding of the world. White-presenting Aurora faces a devastating truth that creates urgency and heightens the emotional stakes that drive the story to its conclusion. This satisfying, sparkling fantasy will capture hearts with its well-developed setting and captivating love story.
A delicious winter romance that shimmers with classic fairy-tale magic. (author’s note) (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
ISBN: 9781728256184
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
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