The King's Questioner

November 22, 2019

Gr 7 Up-In the kingdom of Mureau, it isn't unusual to be a sorcier, or one who can use magick-though none have Kalen's gift of accessing someone's deepest, darkest secrets simply by touching them. Having learned of his ability at a young age, the King makes Kalen his royal questioner. His days are filled with interrogating prisoners to determine their innocence, or lack thereof. When the prince, Cirrus, suddenly falls into a coma, the King commands Kalen to use his talent. Kalen learns that Cirrus has an exiled sister and that, according to prophecy, if she doesn't find her way home, it could mean the destruction of the entire kingdom. Kalen sets off with Cirrus and his childhood friend Luna to bring the princess home. Readers see the majority of the plot through Kalen's eyes, and other than a brief glimpse into the mystery of his disappearing family and a hint that his power is threatening his health, there isn't much else in the way of character development. Luna, the feisty thief and the most potentially intriguing of the cast, ultimately falls flat. Plot details are introduced but not fleshed out, or are conveniently solved to keep the story moving, which may frustrate some readers. A rushed ending wraps up an otherwise interesting premise too quickly. VERDICT A tale that's more suited for those who prefer their fantasy light on world-building and explanation. An additional purchase.-Kimberly Castle-Alberts, Akron-Summit County Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Grades 9-12 Lies, dark magick, a secret prophecy, and the journey to set it all right make up Katz's (The Midnight Dance, 2017) latest. Kalen works for the king, using his power of accessing people's memories to interrogate prisoners and determine the innocent from the guilty. When Prince Cirrus?Kalen's childhood-best-friend-turned-antagonist?suddenly falls into a coma, Kalen uses his ability and unlocks a hidden memory in Cirrus' head, revealing that the prince has a younger sister who, as a baby, was banished by the king. Upon waking, Cirrus joins forces with Kalen and the talented thief Luna to find the lost princess. This is an intriguing story for any reader who loves a clue chase. Though the main trio has a tight and entertaining dynamic, the lost princess falls a bit flat, and the depth of Kalen's connection to her feels abrupt and unfounded. Still, with a good balance of action and sleuthing, this story will hold readers' interest to the dramatic conclusion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)