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Review_CHILDREN’S

panion. When Ozzy grows curious about met. Convinced that her mother has been tered protagonist goes native” storyline; in
the outside world, he attempts to reassim- reincarnated as a great red bird and eager one scene, Kaela gleefully attempts to
ilate into a society he barely knows, which to understand what happened, Leigh introduce indoor plumbing to the Aven’ei,
inspires him to hire the wizard Labyrinth looks for symbols and meaning in the only to discover she has no idea how it
(also known as Rin) to help him find out world around her; a stack of incense sticks works, either. The worldbuilding and
what happened to his parents. Ozzy’s grants her visions that allow insight into premise have potential, but the story falls
seven-year solo survival requires suspen- her mother’s past and family history. At short in execution. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jim
sion of disbelief, but Skye (Mutant Bunny the same time, flashbacks illuminate McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Mar.)
Island) wisely keeps Rin’s nature ambig- Leigh’s complicated relationship with her
uous—is he magical or delusional?— best friend Axel, whom she kissed the day Pirate Queen:
while playing up the theme of found her mother died. Pan’s emotionally Book of the Navigator
family. The juxtaposition of weird science charged debut is H.N. Klett. Raven Rock, $14.99 paper (264p)
and dodgy magic is sometimes awkward a compelling ISBN 978-0-9979699-0-0
but nevertheless successful, thanks to the exploration of Klett confidently balances several genre
tongue-in-cheek humor Skye weaves grief and the elements—fantasy, SF, steampunk, and
throughout the story. Ages 10–14. Agent: insidiousness of more—in his debut novel, first in a
Laurie Liss, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Mar.) depression. Her planned series. Hailey Heartstone is the
narrator, an daughter of a well-to-do merchant sea
Blue Window artist by nature, captain, and she spends most of her time
Adina Rishe Gewirtz. Candlewick, $18.99 sees the world with her father on the high seas, learning
(576p) ISBN 978-0-7636-6036-9 through a col- everything there is to know about ship-
The style of Gewirtz’s fantasy trades on orful, compli- board life. Upon becoming a teenager,
the classic: five siblings fall through a cated lens, and Hailey’s usefulness as a navigator gives
mysterious window into another world the novel is steeped in its Taiwanese setting. way to her family’s desire for her to
and must find their way home; along the The subtlety and ambiguity of the super- become a proper young lady and take her
way, they meet cryptic characters with natural elements place this story in the place in a society that preaches that the
names like “the Genius,” “the Guide,” realm of magical realism, full of ghosts and way to salvation is through bettering one’s
“Master Watcher,” and “Shepherdess.” A complex feelings and sending an undeni- station, marrying well, and adhering to
third-person narrative moves among able message about the power of hope and the doctrines espoused by the Church of
Susan, Max, Nell, Kate, and Jean as they inner strength. Ages 12–up. Agent: Michael the Ancients. Hailey’s thirst for knowl-
wander about, confused and frightened, Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Mar.) edge becomes her downfall after she dis-
trying to get their bearings in a bleak and covers a powerful book that communi-
frightening world. The siblings stand out The Continent cates with her—and that the Church and
for their smooth skin and striking beauty, Keira Drake. Harlequin Teen, $19.99 (320p) Crown are eager to possess. What follows
which endanger them almost constantly. ISBN 978-1-335-47493-3 is a perilous journey into the lands of
Though the children develop special A privileged young woman struggles to pirates and a fated quest for the truth.
powers (Susan can summon the wind in survive after being stranded in unfamiliar, Equal parts thought exercise, rollicking
times of need, for example), the narrative hostile territory. Aspiring mapmaker adventure, and cautionary tale, Klett’s
lacks momentum. The children are Vaela Sun has grown up in the nation of novel should captivate readers with its
unmoored, and even the strange school the Spire, in a culture that has abolished simple yet elegant language and the slow
where Nell learns the dark history of this war. For her 16th birthday, her parents unspooling of mysteries and revelations.
world isn’t an adequate tether to anchor take her on an airship tour of the Ages 12–up. (BookLife)
the narrative. The siblings spend the bulk Continent, where the rival Xoe and
of the book stumbling about, trying to Aven’ei peoples appear determined to wipe ★ The Poet X
understand where they are and why the each other out. When the airship is Elizabeth Acevedo. HarperTeen, $17.99
people are so strange, moving through a destroyed, Vaela’s only hope is to make a (368p) ISBN 978-0-06-266280-4
series of events that never quite coalesces new life among the Aven’ei until she can Harlem sophomore Xiomara Batista
into a cohesive fantasy. Ages 10–up. (Apr.) get home. As she assimilates into their isn’t saintly like her virtuous twin
society and falls for handsome Noro, she brother. And her tough exterior—she’s
★ The Astonishing Color of After adopts a new goal: persuade the Spire to always ready to fend off unwelcome
Emily X.R. Pan. Little, Brown, $18.99 (480p) intervene and end the war. Drake’s debut advances and unkind words—hides ques-
ISBN 978-0-316-46399-7 novel comes with a controversial pedigree, tions and insecurities. As her confirma-
In the wake of her mother’s suicide, having been substantially revised fol- tion nears (after two failed attempts),
15-year-old Leigh travels from the U.S. to lowing early criticism of the depiction of Xiomara begins to voice her uncertainties
Taiwan, where she hopes to come to terms the cultures of the Continent. That aspect about the Catholic faith and patriarchal
with the tragedy while getting to know is improved, but Drake still offers a pre- piety pressed on her by her mother and
the maternal grandparents she has never dictable romance coupled with a “shel- the church. Both intrigued and disgusted

86 PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ■ JANU AR Y 22, 2018