All That Burns

November 15, 2014
Magic and monarchy collide in this romantic fantasy, a sequel to All that Glows (2014).Emrys gave up her immortality and her magic when she fell in love with Richard, the 18-year-old new king of England. Richard has put forth a controversial policy: British mortals should welcome the faery world as partners, a plan chiefly opposed by Julian Forsythe, a politician who hopes to incite fear of faeries in order to become prime minister. When Richard is kidnapped from his coach on the way to his coronation, Emrys embarks on a mission to find him and learns that she isn't the only faery in Britain's history to unite with a king. Echoes of Camelot, a time Emrys personally remembers, enter the story, with more than one of the actual Arthurian figures still alive and active. She unites with Richard's sister, Belle, and Kieran, one of the Ad-hene that guards the prison of the faery world, to find the trail of a recent escapee, even as Forsythe turns all of London against her. Graudin relies on abundant elements from the romance and fantasy genres-perfect boyfriends, royalty, magical creatures and spells-but admixes enough plot to keep readers engaged. The King Arthur legend also works well to keep an intriguing mystery moving through the tale while leaving room for another sequel. Fluffier than the series opener but still appealing for fans. (Fantasy. 12-18)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 9 Up-In All That Glows (HarperCollins, 2014), Emrys, the Faery assigned to guard the royal family, falls in love with Prince Richard. He is initially unaware of Emrys, as the Faery guard keeps herself invisible. When she reveals herself to the prince, he falls in love with her and she gives up her magic and immortality to be with him. Richard's father dies and Richard begins to work to unite the human and Faery world with Emrys at his side as the Faery ambassador. In this installment, Richard is still working to bring magic into the land and is meeting some opposition. Many of his subjects are wary of the Fae, not sure if their magic is meant for good or evil. Emrys is finding it difficult to be a mortal, without the magic that made her a fierce and effective protector of Richard. She feels powerless to keep him safe; he is kidnapped while sitting next to her on the way to his coronation. As evil forces attempt to take over the kingdom, Emrys and Richard's sister go undercover to try to locate Richard and free him from his captors. Emrys is faced with a terrible choice: giving up her powers or her true love. Graudin has successfully created a world of modern and ancient, magical and everyday ordinary. Filled with romance, action, and suspense, All That Burns will enchant teen readers.-Kathy Kirchoefer, Henderson County Public Library, NC

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