To a Darker Shore

February 5, 2024
A teen who chafes against strict religious tradition seeks to avenge her best friend in this byzantine fantasy
from Schwartz (A Prayer for Vengeance). Alesta—a fat, orphaned 17-year-old living in Soladisa—is used to her homeland’s ritual of banishing a youth considered sinful once every three months as a sacrifice to angry remote island monsters. As someone who is perceived as often falling short of expectations, she fears that she will be next. When her flying invention designed to impress leaders injures another teen, her best friend Kyrian takes the blame, assuming that he, as heir to Soladisa’s throne, will not be harshly punished. His gamble proves foolhardy, and he’s chosen as the next sacrifice. With help from others disturbed by the ritual, Alesta concocts a scheme to kill the monster, but after being banished to the monster’s territory, she discovers a still-living, transformed Kyr, who shares the horrifying truth of the island. While pacing struggles to gain momentum at the start and characters’ convenient visions offer instant insight, the winding plot and escalating reveals make for an enjoyably complex tale that will satisfy fantasy fans who prefer layered conspiracy narratives. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lee O’Brien, Irene Goodman Literary.

February 1, 2024
A fat, autistic teen risks her life to save her kingdom and the boy she loves. In Soladisa, young people are sacrificed to the monster Teras to protect the citizens from its wrath for another season. When shepherdess Alesta's best friend, Kyrian, the presumed heir to the throne, is sacrificed, she longs for revenge. She sets off for the island of Orroccio, where Teras dwells, to kill the beast and end the sacrifices once and for all--a feat others have attempted in vain. There, Alesta is surprised to learn that Kyr lives, albeit in a new and monstrous form, and as the two travel deeper into the monster's domain, they discover unexpected truths about their world. Inspired by Dante's Inferno, the story offers a fresh take on monster tales, neatly demonstrating the ways monstrousness and humanity are two sides of the same coin. Equally fascinating is the fantastical world the characters occupy, which has clear parallels to our own world and where reality and the official truth do not always align. Alesta and Kyr, who present as autistic, are easy heroes to root for, well drawn and compelling in their matching stubbornness and authentic care for each other. Alesta's journey, from internalizing hateful comments about her body to accepting it as it is, is nuanced and affirming. Alesta and Kyr have tan skin; queer love stories play important roles in the narrative. Rich worldbuilding and lovable characters make this trip to hell worthwhile. (content warnings) (Fantasy. 14-18)

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March 15, 2024
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Once per season in Soladisa, an unworthy young person is left as food on a desolate island as a sacrifice to the monster, Teras. Alesta designs a flying machine that should be impressive enough to overcome the virtues she is lacking and prevent her tithing, but its spectacular failure ends up getting Kyrian, Alesta's best friend and the kingdom's likely heir, tithed instead. Bereft, Alesta joins forces with some unlikely co-conspirators and gets herself tithed on purpose to hunt down Teras and stop the tithing forever, but what she discovers on the island will call into question everything she believes about both herself and the monster. Schwartz incorporates a range of topics (body shaming, homophobia, etc.) in a seamless way here; characters' identities are thoroughly embedded and don't feel like afterthoughts. Though both Alesta and Kyr are autistic and demisexual, this manifests in very different ways and they are unique, irresistibly lovable characters with a deeply believable childhood friends-to-lovers evolution. While at times the pacing can be a bit uneven--there's a lot crammed into these pages--this is ultimately a compelling, deeply romantic examination of how demisexuality manifests in relationships, particularly when influenced by autism. An abundance of action, intrigue, truly horrifying monsters, and power-hungry villains round out this passionately romantic, Inferno-inspired epic journey.

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Starred review from May 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-This novel takes readers on a riveting journey. Alestra is an inventor who lives in a world where human sacrifices are made to appease the hellish monsters surrounding them. When one of Alesta's inventions goes wrong, her friend Kyrian, the kingdom's heir, takes the blame to prevent Alesta from being sacrificed. This sets off a riveting journey reminiscent of Dante's Inferno, where Alesta confronts monstrous challenges and descends into a hellish realm to rescue Kyrian. What sets this teen novel apart is the author's masterful use of imagery and description, painting a vivid picture of both external monsters and the internal struggles of the characters. The narrative skillfully explores the theme of self-image and identity, delving into the burning self-hatred that accompanies the belief of not meeting societal expectations. Alesta, who is autistic and plus-size, is desperate to conform to others' standards, whether related to appearance or shape, a desire that resonates deeply. The parallel drawn between external and internal demons provides a powerful metaphor for the battles individuals face in their quest for acceptance. The author's ability to convey the emotional turmoil of the characters makes this book not only a gripping fantasy but also a poignant exploration of the challenges of adolescence. VERDICT A phenomenal work, weaving together elements of fantasy, self-discovery, and the quest for identity, making it a compelling read for teens grappling with their sense of self.-Jessica Calaway

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