Once a King

October 1, 2018
Following Ever the Brave (2017), Lirra and Aodren unravel a country-destabilizing conspiracy.Every five years, the All Kingdoms' Summit gathers the various nations' rulers for diplomacy, commerce, a Tournament of Champions, and a Jubilee of Channeler magic. It's come to the kingdom of Shaerdan, and Malam's King Aodren needs a strong showing to prove his kingdom has overcome its trials and is recovering from the damage of Malam's Purge. Lirra has a message from her spymaster father (who's off on a mission; Lirra fears he'll miss her big debut in the Jubilee) for Aodren. The point of view alternates between the two of them (Britta is mentioned but doesn't appear). The action sequences generally cover the various events in the tournament and brawls that are frequently linked to a Channeler oil, Sanguine, a mysterious, popular supplement that some say is dangerous. Aodren, with help from Lirra, must learn the truth about whether the anti-Sanguine sentiment is old Malam anti-Channeler prejudice or if the oil really is dangerous (and will add more fuel to the anti-Channeler fire). While the Sanguine storyline is highly effective as a drug metaphor and the political maneuverings entertain, other story elements--such as the romantic storyline and the party responsible for the troubles--won't bring any surprises. Characters have a range of skin and eye colors which are free of plot significance.Brain candy for fans of Summerill's worldbuilding. (Fantasy. 12-18)

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October 15, 2018
Grades 8-11 Lirra is the daughter of the Archtraitor of Malam, an influential royal advisor who renounced his kingdom when rulers began persecuting the magically gifted. Young Lirra lost her mother and suffered grave injuries before escaping Malam with her father. She has no love for Malam's new king, Aodren, a young man who broke the grip of those ruling before him. Readers of Summerill's previous books (Ever the Brave, 2017) know Aodren to be a noble ruler who seeks to heal his kingdom's wounds. However, foes within and without are sabotaging his efforts for renewed unity and strength, and he needs Lirra's expertise with her father's underground world. Like the Graceling trilogy, where each book introduced new protagonists in one fantasy universe, this can stand alone, but the plot depends heavily on previous events. The implications of a world where only women wield magic are left largely unexplored, but Lirra is a fierce heroine whom Aodren respects enormously, and their romance feels honest, if inevitable. A lighter fantasy than Graceling, but for a similar audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)