Night Spinner

December 15, 2019
A disgraced warrior fights to restore her sense of self amid war and intrigue in this tightly wound, laser-focused epic. In Thorley's (An Affair of Poisons, 2019) immersive sophomore effort, the Ashkar Empire is imperiled, and 18-year-old Enebish, eponymous Night Spinner and sympathetic narrator, isn't sure where she stands. Wielding the powers of darkness and starfire, Enebish was part of an elite corps drawing its strength from elemental forces until she allegedly massacred innocents. Mutilated and stripped of her abilities, she's been training eagles at a monastery alongside Serik, her irreverent, magic-barren friend/love interest, ever since. Meanwhile, a generations-long conflict with rival Zemya intensifies as internal rebels rescue criminals and pilfer supplies. Desperate for assistance, Imperial Army Commander Ghoa offers her adoptive sister a shot at redemption, tasking Enebish with capturing rebel leader Temujin. As she grows disenchanted with Ashkar's self-deified Sky King and Ghoa, Enebish sympathizes with the rebels; soon enough, events force her to reconsider all her loyalties. Thorley's strength lies at the intersection of worldbuilding and plotting, melding familiar tropes--geographically-defined peoples, gods old and new, a chosen-one narrative--with a gyre of duplicity and scheming that alternatively meets and subverts expectations. Characters hail from different fantasy locales but register as white. Satisfies as a stand-alone and leaves fans of fantasy, mystery, and thrillers clamoring for more. (Fantasy. 14-18)

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January 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-In this retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enebish was once a fearsome warrior in the Sky King's Imperial Army, but after destroying a merchant caravan by losing control of her Night Spinner power she is sent to live out her days in a monastery. Broken and battered, she settles into her new life, believing that it is more than she deserves. However, when she receives the opportunity to go after a rogue criminal she immediately descends on a journey to reinstate her warrior status. Once Enebish meets this criminal she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her country. Readers will be immersed in a lush fantasy world filled with magic wielders and political intrigue. Thorley thoroughly utilizes descriptive language throughout the text, bolstering the imagery. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced adventure, enticed by all of the narrative's twists and turns. A cast of morally gray supporting characters enhances the mystery and perils of war. The ending leaves readers eager to start the next part of the journey. VERDICT A thrilling retelling that will circulate well among fans of young adult fantasies.-Zoe Leonarczyk, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2019
Grades 7-11 Enebish yearns for reinstatement into the Ashkarian Sky King's elite troops, to rejoin her commander sister, and to be forgiven for one deadly night of power unleashed and uncontrolled. Wounded, she jumps at an opportunity to return to battle, if only to act as a conduit to a rebel group threatening the king. Enebish begins to care about the rebels and their mission, only to discover that everything she has taken as real?including her memories?might be untrue. This is a story of manipulation and deceit, of honor and loyalty. Old religion is very much alive as characters constantly refer to the gods' gifts and ask for help in tense situations. Gods-touched members of this society possess gifts for controlling nature (e.g., Night Spinner, Sun Stoker, and Ice Herald), and they serve the Sky King, the mortal (figurative) partner of the immortal Lady of the Sky. At times a bit melodramatic, the first-person narration effectively delivers a personal view of this world that puts readers firmly on the side of its earnest heroine.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)