February 1, 2025
The magic flows as easily as the champagne as cousins strive to best one another to earn the title of Holtzfall Heiress by winning the sometimes-deadly Veritaz Trials. When Verity Holtzfall turns up dead--and her bodyguard knight, Alaric Rydder, is missing--everyone in Walstad knows that a new heiress must be chosen according to the centuries-old Veritaz, which tests the virtues of eligible candidates. Along with teenage cousins Nora (Verity's daughter), Modesty, Constance, and Clemency, a fifth cousin, Lotte, appears, released from the convent where she's been living, until recently unaware of her Holtzfall bloodline. The trials are always different, testing "bravery, or honesty, or temperance, or any of a dozen other virtues" in unexpected ways. The winner receives all the entrants' magic. In Walstad, a society whose worldbuilding features Scandinavian cultural influences, the self-congratulatory upper crust lives in luxury, while activists called Grims agitate for reform. This sprawling story's multiple narrators never lose their footing, even as they race along the twisty pathways of forbidden love and shocking alliances and reveals. Dark-haired Nora's father was a "desert-born" Mirajin; references to his Arab-coded culture evoke some Orientalist tropes. Other major characters read white. The cliffhanger conclusion of this riveting series opener that explores themes of trust and growth will leave readers eager for the next installment. Strong young women lead in this atmospheric tale that's oozing with magic, secrets, and temptation. (family tree)(Fantasy thriller. 14-18)
COPYRIGHT(2025) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
February 17, 2025
Two cousins compete in a trial to inherit the family fortune in this fantastical mystery from Hamilton (Rebel of the Sands). Sixteen-year-old Honora Holtzfall is reeling after the murder of her mother, heiress to the most powerful family in Walstad. Now Nora must participate in the Veritaz Trials, a competition held for every Holtzfall generation, to determine who is worthy of inheriting the family’s immense power. Nora is the clear front-runner, until her illegitimate cousin Lotte appears. The girls must compete against other cousins, and danger lurks around every corner—because even though her mother’s death was purportedly the result of a mugging, Nora knows there was more to it. With plucky 17-year-old reporter August Wolffe and her most trusted knight Theo, Nora will pursue the truth as she navigates magical challenges, dangerous assassins, and trials of the heart. Though dense exposition slows the lengthy narrative, an enigmatic premise, sly dialogue, and an immersive 1930s-style setting add grit to the complexly rendered class dynamics, making this a propulsive exploration of the bonds of family both biological and chosen. Ages 12–up. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, Bent Agency.
April 1, 2025
Gr 7 Up-Hamilton weaves a thrilling narrative that explores the themes of power, privilege, and rebellion in a richly imagined world that draws inspiration from fairy tales right out of Grimm. For centuries, the Holtzfall family has reigned supreme, wielding magic and power. However, political unrest brews as the lower classes grow dissatisfied. When her mother, the reigning heir, is murdered, 16-year-old Nora must compete in the brutal Veritaz Trials to earn her inheritance. However, Nora faces unexpected competition: Lotte, an illegitimate cousin, who emerges to claim her rightful place among the heirs. Amid the political intrigue and growing rebellion, Nora must unravel the mystery of her mother's death and confront the crumbling foundations of her family's power. Hamilton deftly explores class conflict, privilege, and power through this unique, dark enchanted world. The mystery and suspense of the trials all but overwhelm any romance, though there is some intrigue. Most characters read white; Nora is biracial with cues to Middle Eastern heritage. VERDICT For fans of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen, Hamilton offers a thrilling fantasy that takes a critical look at the corrupting influence of power and the fight for a more equitable society.-Rachel Jussel
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March 1, 2025
Grades 9-12 This sweeping tale hits the ground running as readers are pulled through the dazzling country of Walstad--think the glamour of old Hollywood dipped in gilded magic coloring the world around it. Paparazzi cameras are enchanted, royal clothes are charmed to never wrinkle, and mechanical animals glow with a facsimile of life. The Holtzfalls are the wealthiest family in the country, both in currency and magic. But when the title of heir becomes unexpectedly vacant, cousins and siblings alike are pitted against one another in the Veritaz: a magical competition that determines the sole successor to the estate. The ensemble cast includes Nora, daughter of the deceased former Holtzfall heiress; Lotte, the illegitimate child of Nora's aunt; August, a young reporter who photographed the murder scene; and Theo, one of the Holtzfalls' sworn protectors. Those looking for a propulsive new duology with dynamic leads will find it here as characters navigate scandal and familial politics with the skill of seasoned professionals.
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