Comics Review: Penultimate Quest
Let’s start with the element that surprised me the most: Penultimate Quest is absolutely not a comedy. Going in clean, with no more information than what’s on the front and back covers, I was expecting much more of a genre parody than actually appears. I could make a case for the book as satirical, but it’s not the ha-ha kind of satirical; while there’s genre deconstruction taking place, its expression is far more tragic than comic. This is not a “Mornin’ Ralph” “Mornin’ Sam” send-up of adventuring as a grind.
Book Reviews: A Penguin Teen Trio of Terror
We’re excited to bring you short reviews of three terrific seasonal horror offerings recently out from various YA imprints of Penguin Random House.
Book Review: Vampires of El Norte
I enjoyed reading Vampires of El Norte. The young lovers’ misunderstandings feel natural, not artificially belabored, and the problems they’re dealing with, of trying to negotiate societal and familial expectations and demands to find some degrees of choice, are depicted with understanding, compassion, and warmth. The monsters are scary, the action scenes are exciting, the love story is sweet, and I found the conclusion very satisfying.
Book Review: Of Light and Shadow, by Tanaz Bhathena (by Shazzie / readeratworkblog)
As an own voices reader, it’s always exciting to discover a promising book that draws from my culture.
Book Review: Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron
As the daughter of two powerful magic users, big things are expected of Arrah. However, while she is able to see magic, she has never manifested signs of having any herself other than a natural resistance to mind-influencing spells. When a friend of hers disappears as part of a spate of child kidnappings, Arrah takes desperate measures…
Book Review: Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
Descendant of the Crane is a Chinese-inspired YA fantasy novel about politics, leadership and sacrifice. When the King of Yan dies suddenly, Hesina knows her father has been poisoned. In order to launch an official investigation, Hesina must take her place as the queen—no easy task when this involves gaining the approval of her mother. Plus, any ruler of the Kingdom of Yan faces a number of troubles. Whole villages are disappearing without a trace along the border, but Yan’s philosophy prevents the country from going to war. Within the capital there’s rumours that the soothsayers, the magic users who propped up the previous regime of profligate emperors, aren’t as dead as once thought, and neighbours begin to turn on each other. Hesina must somehow balance these concerns with her quest for the truth about her father’s death and her growing awareness of treachery from within her court.
