A Season of Sinister Dreams

May 10, 2021
When pale-skinned Lady Annalise unintentionally unleashes her magic upon Prince Kendrik, heir to the kingdom of Tyne’s throne, she positions herself to be queen. Annalise wants to replace brutal King Alder, whose determination to stay alive a decade after the Sickness has meant that all magic workers in the kingdom are forced to heal only the king. But Annalise’s desire to help Tyne’s neglected citizens is thwarted when visions seen by freckled, gray-eyed Evra, 17, the first female Clearsee, or “prophet of doom,” suggest that Annalise is not what she appears. Accompanied by best friend Tamsin and her protective brother Hagan, Evra finds herself far from village life as she travels to warn the king, since her visions show a golden-yellow wolf threatening the throne. But when Evra loses nearly everything to Annalise’s wrath, she must learn to control her perceptive abilities and rely on friendship—and a mysterious figure in her dreams—to survive. Banghart’s (Queen of Ruin) prose is sharp, with detailed descriptions of royal life. While the plot meanders in places, alternating viewpoints offer gripping conflict while gender dynamics, power plays, and unexpected romance maintain intrigue. Ages 14–up. Agent: Pam Gruber, Irene Goodman Literary.

March 1, 2021

Gr 7 Up-Still grieving the death of his son and heir during the Sickness years earlier, the elderly king of Tyne forces all magic workers to the capital, where they can prolong his life and protect the castle while the rest of the kingdom suffers. Annalise has spent years in the castle secretly using her unwieldy magic to weave a web of influence around the king, his grandson (and her cousin) Prince Kendrik, and the king's advisors. Annalise hopes to exact revenge on the king for her mother's death-a plan that is close to fruition when Annalise accidentally uses her magic on Kendrik, leaving him hidden and monstrously transformed while Annalise becomes the new heir. Meanwhile, Evra's quiet country life is ruined when her magic manifests years later than expected, making her the first girl ever to become a Clearsee. As magical prophets, Clearsees (usually men) use their magic to interpret visions meant to guide and protect the kingdom. While Annalise prepares for her coronation, Evra reluctantly arrives at the capital where she sees cryptic visions hinting at danger. But is the danger a threat to Tyne's rulers or is it the rulers themselves? This plot-driven standalone fantasy alternates between Annalise and Evra's first-person perspectives. Both narrations feel claustrophobic, leaving readers and characters floundering. Themes of agency as both heroines try to defy expectations are undermined by extremely limited worldbuilding and backstories that never fully explain character motivations or actions-particularly Annalise's. Characters are coded as white. VERDICT Fans of Banghart's Grace and Fury will appreciate this book's strong female leads, fast-paced action, and the focus on Evra and Tam's friendship despite other shortcomings.-Emma Carbone, Brooklyn P.L.

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