Shelf Awareness--Heir

YA Review: Heir

Heir by Sabaa Tahir (Putnam Sons Books for Young Readers, 512p., ages 13-up, 9780593616949, October 1, 2024)

Heir is a complex, spellbinding YA saga of love and intrigue that is set in the familiar magical universe of the An Ember in the Ashes series, written by National Book Award winning-author Sabaa Tahir (All My Rage).

"Small-boned, light-skinned" Aiz bet-Dafra, 18, is a desperately poor, orphaned "gutter child" in the crowded city of Kegar. The vile highborn commander of the air squadrons, Tiral bet-Hiwa, is driven to conquest and uses the city's magic-driven Sails to bomb and pillage other lands for food. When Aiz attempts to kill Tiral--who has murdered many of her fellow orphans--she is thrown into prison. There, the blessed Mother Div, historical "Savior of Kegar," manifests as an apparition and aids Aiz's escape. Mother Div promises Aiz that she will help the girl gain strength and save "the poor and wretched of Kegar."

Thousands of miles away, dark-haired, gold-skinned prince Quil is the reluctant heir to the Martial throne. The 20-year-old has been trained to fight by the "greatest warrior in the Empire." Quil is troubled, though, by an epidemic of ugly murders that has left 14 children dead; he confronts Empress Helene but receives no answers. Before he can investigate further, the palace is destroyed in an unexpected Kegari attack. Quil escapes and is sent on a mission to bring back a mysterious weapon that will save the Empire.

Twenty-year-old, "blue-black hair and brown"-skinned Sirsha Westering comes from a line of powerful magic-wielders called the Jaduna. She is approached by a mysterious Martial and asked to find a dangerous murderer who targets young people. Sirsha's magic lies in tracking and binding the magic of others, but she's been banished by the Jaduna and forbidden to use her powers on pain of death. The price the client offers, though, is irresistible. When the royal palace is attacked, Sirsha's path, her mission--and quite possibly her heart--collide with Quil.

This first electrifying book in a duology occurs 20 years after the events of the final An Ember in the Ashes book. In Heir, Tahir's three narrators take turns driving the story, their compelling tales merging into one serendipitous, exhilarating whole. The narrators' goals are seemingly unrelated--Aiz's righteousness, Sirsha's sworn oath, and Quil's need to save his people--yet Tahir's magic lies in how she makes their goals mesh, propelling the novel forward to a violent, tangled cliffhanger of an ending. Heir is a triumphant return to a beloved world. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author. Originally printed in Shelf Awareness Pro.

August Recommendations

In cozy, contemplative HIRO: WINTER AND MARSHMALLOWS, by Marine Schneider, translated by Vineet Lal, Hiro is a bear who’s “too curious to sleep for months on end.” Her mom warns that “winter can bite,” but Hiro packs a bag and slips outside her den. Though the breeze is icy, Hiro thinks winter is beautiful. She follows some tracks and the “sweet, gooey scent of toasted marshmallows” to a party of humans who flee their campfire at her approach. Hiro’s sad sighs rekindle the fire, causing half-eaten marshmallows to melt over the flames. But then Émile, a “marshmallow expert” peeks out from behind a tree, and together they have a wonderful time, sharing stories, running, hiding, and finding common ground. The text is evocative and sweet, and the illustrations, made with colored pencils, watercolors, acrylic paint, and markers, are impressionistic and delightful. A tender treat, not to be missed!

LUCKY DUCK, by Greg Pizzoli, is the funny story about Duck, who’s “feeling a bit unlucky.” The roller skates she ordered online are too big, but then a wolf tells her she’s won a fabulous soup pot. Now Susan feels lucky. When her kitchen lightbulb burns out, she’s back to feeling unlucky. But then the wolf says she’s won onions, “great for soup!” By now readers will likely be having some laughs as Susan’s discovery that the pickle jar is empty is followed by the wolf showing up with celery, and so on. Just when Susan fears her luck has run out for good, the wolf encounters some bad luck (and a pickle jar and roller skates) of his own. I’m a big fan of Pizzoli’s straightforward text and distinctive illos, and kid-friendly Lucky Duck doesn’t disappoint.

I WANT 100 DOGS, written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by Claire Keane, begins with a child who wants 100 dogs, (then 90, then 80, etc.) and the two parents who explain why, in each instance, that might not be a great idea. Told all in dialog, the reasons for wanting so many dogs—and the reasons why they would be impractical—include plenty of humor, which is amped up by the energetic art. Text is indicated in speech bubbles and the digital illustrations of all those dogs and their consequences are in thought “clouds.” It all comes together nicely with the child getting just the right amount of dog.

In THE SPACEMAN, by Randy Cecil, the titular, diminutive spaceman is collecting soil samples on one of a series of planets when he’s distracted by “something special” (a flower). At that moment, his ship is stolen by a bird. Though he’s frightened by a huge, “hideous beast, all covered in fur” (a dog), he’s also fascinated by a “fantastical array of creatures” (snails, ladybugs, a butterfly). The charms of this planet and its furry inhabitant grow on the little spaceman, and he begins to weigh his responsibility to find his spaceship and collect more samples with his desire to spend time laughing, playing, and “enjoying the gentle breeze with [his] friend.” Text is droll, and oil painted illustrations have plenty of texture, color, and style. Pair it with WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN, by X. Fang, for a couple of tongue-in-cheek fish-out-of-water, aliens-on-earth stories that would make for a terrific storytime.

HIDE-AND-SEEK, written and illustrated by Molly Cranch, is a delightful look at camouflage, disguised as a fun game. Turtle is IT, but Heron doesn’t know where to hide. Trout, Manatee, Otter, and Cricket have taken all the best spots. But soon Heron, too, finds exactly the right place to hide from Turtle. Chirp-chirp! Slish-slosh! Trudge-trudge! Splish-splash! Squeak-squeak! Surprise! Look who’s IT now! This fun book, with its onomatopoeia and beautiful illustrations, will have kids begging to read it again and again.

CAMILLA SUPER HELPER, written by Julie Dillemuth and illustrated by Laura Wood, is another Camilla, Cartographer book which promotes spacial awareness thinking skills and map-making. In this one, Camilla and her neighbor Parsley are reading about superheroes one hot summer day, when Melli, a honey bee, breezes in through the open window. Melli has to fly all day to find flowers to make honey, so Camilla decides to help, by setting up water stations and planting more flowers. There are so many locations to consider, it's a good thing Camilla’s superpower is drawing excellent maps. Before long, Camilla and friends set out to help. This engaging book, about a forest full of superheroes, has back matter about the importance of bees and how to make a bee garden, which includes mapping out the project.

--Lynn

August's Book of the Month--Ahoy!

August 2024's Book of the Month is AHOY!, a gem of a book about the joy of imaginative play by two-time Caldecott winner Sophie Blackall.

When a parent who’s vacuuming wants to know what their child is playing, the answer is a definitive “I’M NOT PLAYING!” Apparently, there’s a storm coming: the rug is a rising ocean, and the parent is instructed not to dillydally or they’ll both be eaten by sharks. The pair happily draw a map, raise a mainsail, hoist a burgee, and swab a poop deck. They set sail in a fabulous vessel (laundry-filled basket and chairs), but when the phone rings, they hit the doldrums. Soon, though, they’re at it again, as a giant squid attacks right before the storm rolls in—and they end up on an iceberg! Luckily, a distress signal brings help, and it’s “not a moment too soon!”

A universe of fun fills these pages as imagination transforms chore time—and the living room—into the scene of a fantastical, seafaring adventure. Blackall brilliantly brings AHOY! to life with a text that’s all dialogue and energy, and enriched by fun nautical terms. The illustrations are bright, whimsical, endearing, and equally energetic, and the roly-poly, hatted characters look like they could be toys themselves. Color and line-work are superb, as always. Be sure to take note of gorgeous endpapers and look under the dust jacket.

As someone whose kids made royal thrones out of egg cartons, I love a good book about imaginative play, and this one does not disappoint. It’s sparkling, creative, dynamic—don’t miss it!

--Lynn

Shelf Awareness--Death at Morning House

YA Review: Death at Morning House

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson (HarperTeen, 384p., ages 12-up, 9780063255951)

Secrets abound in Death at Morning House, a sure-handed, suspenseful story that combines ominous mystery, droll wit, and queer romance.

Marlowe Wexler's first date with longtime crush Akilah Jones does not go well. After a romantic dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, Marlowe brings Akilah back to the cottage she's housesitting and her petrichor-scented candle turns Marlowe into an accidental arsonist. Marlowe decides she'll "ghost... the world," but instead receives a job offer that will let her leave town altogether: leading tours at an infamous Prohibition-era mansion. The abandoned manor, where two of the extremely wealthy Ralston family's children died tragically on the same day, is being opened to the public for one summer. Marlowe agrees to join the crew, only to learn upon arrival that her colleagues are all locals who have already started the season--and she is replacing a guide who drowned after falling off a cliff. Buried secrets bubble to the surface, Marlowe's boss goes missing, and a "swirling, biblical mess" of a storm turns the tour guides' spooky ice cream party into a nightmare. As Marlowe watches history repeat itself, her brain begins to "assemble the pieces" and she homes in on the mansion's truths.

Maureen Johnson (Truly Devious series) has written an atmospheric, entertaining detective story with multiple entwined mysteries. Marlowe's contemporary narration is augmented by accounts from various Ralston children in 1932, effectively capturing readers' curiosity. Johnson imbues her writing with ominous undercurrents, yet Marlowe's wry voice manages to entertain, even as tragedies unfurl. This is a gripping, darkly funny, and gratifying YA mystery. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Awareness--We Are Definitely Human

PB Review: We Are Definitely Human

We Are Definitely Human by X. Fang (Tundra Books, 48p., ages 4-8, 9781774882023)

We Are Definitely Human is a fabulously illustrated, rib-tickling, and affecting picture book in which Mr. Li and his neighbors demonstrate the potential of kindness and cooperative spirit.

It's midnight when something crashes outside Mr. and Mrs. Li's house. Mr. Li investigates, only to find three strangers with "very big" eyes, "very blue" skin, and body shapes that are "very hard to describe." But Mr. Li doesn't worry because these strangers "are DEFINITELY human." Their spaceship (er, "car") has broken down and since Mr. Li is "a kind human," he offers to help. Mr. Li drives his guests to the store, and the people shopping there do "what kind humans do." They offer to help. Before long, there's a party in the woods, with food and dancing and "interesting conversations." At last, the repairs are made, and everyone waves goodbye. The car "float[s] higher and higher until it disappear[s] among the stars." The three visitors reflect on "the kindness of humans, [who] do what kind humans do--offer help to anyone who needs it."

X. Fang (Dim Sum Palace) has made an out-of-this-world picture book that features hilariously deadpan aliens and charming, though (maybe?) clueless, human protagonists (plus one wisely skeptical dog). Outrageously giggle-inducing dialogue from the aliens is characterized by non sequiturs and garbled syntax, and Fang revels in the disconnect between human expectations and alien quirks. Mixed media illustrations in strong purples, yellows, blues, and greens are a delight. This book's wonderful message of offering help where help is needed is wisely and gracefully delivered. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Awareness--Beneath These Cursed Stars

YA Review: Beneath These Cursed Stars

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan (HarperTeen, 432p., ages 13-up, 9780063311909)

Beneath These Cursed Stars is a fast-paced, neatly executed YA dark fantasy featuring human-fae intrigue, romance, and tangled secrets that refuse to stay undercover.

It has been three years since Princess Jasalyn, now 17, was released from imprisonment in the dungeons of "false king" Mordeus. Rumors that the once-dead Mordeus has been resurrected are circulating and Jasalyn's sister, queen Abriella of the Unseelie Court, wants to send Jasalyn to the care of King Misha in the Wild Fae territory. But Jasalyn is no helpless victim; she traded her immortality for a magical ring, "forfeit[ing] any days beyond" the age of 18 in exchange for the powerful tool. At night, Jasalyn seeks out the worst of Mordeus's followers and uses the ring to administer the "kiss of death." On one of Jasalyn's deadly hunts, she is captured by fae disguised as humans who want to use her to fulfill their oracle's prophecy. When Jasalyn finds their goals align, she allows one of the captors, shapeshifting Felicity, to impersonate her, giving Jasalyn the freedom to spend her last year hunting Mordeus. As things turn steamy with leader Kendrick, the price Jasalyn paid for her ring begins to seem too high.

Lexi Ryan (These Hollow Vows) tells her thrilling romantic fantasy through the absorbing first-person voices of Jasalyn and Felicity. Characters wield tantalizing secret agendas as they fight against--and adhere to--the fates, and the sexy "will-they-or-won't-they" nature of the romance heightens the fun. The cliffhanger ending should leave readers eager to learn whether love or betrayal will ultimately win out. --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.

Shelf Awareness--The Grandest Game

YA Review: The Grandest Game

The Grandest Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 384p., ages 12-up, 9780316481014)

The Grandest Game is a provocative, puzzle box of a novel wherein "seven lucky players" vie for control of a "life-changing" prize of $26 million.

Heiress Avery Grambs and the impossibly rich Hawthorne brothers will oversee the first annual Grandest Game. The seven tickets to play are highly coveted and all the contestants have something to prove--both to themselves and to others. British Rohan, "light brown"-skinned and roguish, competes to buy his way into a rich and powerful legacy. Gigi, master of "chaotic distraction," wants the prize to continue her enigmatic "reverse heist" program, while Savannah, Gigi's "taller, blonder" twin, plays to win. Ex-dancer Lyra needs the money because her parents plan to sell the family home to pay Lyra's college tuition. The seven contestants are rounded out by lip-reading "old lady" Odette, dreadlocked "recovering physicist" Brady, and "scum-basket" Knox--and, surprisingly, Grayson Hawthorne, second-eldest of the brothers, whose unfinished business with Lyra means he'll be competing as well. Teams form, tension skyrockets, and formidable outside forces surreptitiously pull strings, making the game increasingly more dangerous.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes's addictively fast-paced novel is the first in a series set in the same universe as her bestselling The Inheritance Games series, and there's plenty here for even previously uninitiated readers to enjoy. The shifting points of view among Rohan, Lyra, and Gigi, along with complex riddles, misdirection, and steamy sexual tension, keep the plot racing. The contestants all know there is a "price to be paid for power"--but how steep is the cost and who will pay it? --Lynn Becker, reviewer, blogger, and children's book author.