March 15, 2024
A brilliant magician who seeks to destroy the system of inequality propping up her world is aided by new allies and feels the complications of romance in this middle entry in the Waxways trilogy. As expected, Landwin Brood doesn't appreciate Theo's new bond to Ren Monroe; despite her brilliance and magical prowess, Landwin won't look past her Lower Quarter origins. Although Landwin attempts to separate them, Ren maintains her single-minded focus on revenge. Unbeknownst to Thugar, the eldest Brood, Dahvid and Nevelyn Tin'Vori, who are in hiding, are also out for vengeance as descendants of another family who fell victim to the Broods. Their alliance with Ren and Theo (if he can be trusted) will be the key to bringing down House Brood, but success hangs delicately on an intricate plan that could go wrong in deadly ways. While this sequel to A Door in the Dark (2023) has less breakneck action and high-octane adventure than the first volume, it more than compensates with a slow-building and intensely suspenseful plot that plays to Reintgen's strength in creating well-defined, emotionally convincing characters. The novel is narrated in multiple third-person points of view, and Ren and Theo's romance keeps pace, developing slowly but skillfully into something undeniable and sparkling. Themes of loyalty, familial expectations, and personal choice are woven into a world that makes space for sharp-edged girls, tender-hearted boys, and everyone in between. Central cast members are cued white. Substantial and satisfying: Readers will look forward to being reunited with these characters. (map) (Fantasy. 14-18)
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May 3, 2024
Gr 9 Up-In this sequel to A Door in the Dark, Ren's careful plan for vengeance is already derailed by the opening sentence. Despite her bond with the son of her most-hated enemy, the powerful Landwin Brood, her lack of allies and Theo getting exiled by his vindictive father renders her hard-won scheme nearly impossible. Then there's the supposedly dead heirs of the fallen House Tin'Vori. The remaining siblings have been plotting their revenge for years and quickly become Ren's wary allies, albeit with their own agendas. Working together, they carefully navigate the downfall of Landwin Brood and his heirs. There are pit fights to be won, magical protections to unravel, opponents to conquer, new loves to choose, surprising missteps to make, and last-minute obstacles that must be handled carefully. It all culminates in a colossal battle with a delicious outcome. In this series, Reintgen has given readers not one but two unique new magical systems: the waxways and image-bearing. This sequel not only continues the engaging main plot but reaches new heights, both with new characters and interesting twists and turns that will keep readers hooked until the breathtaking end. VERDICT A spectacular sequel in an exciting fantasy series and a must-purchase for all libraries serving high schoolers.-Kristen Rademacher
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