 | |
| Author | Tehlor Kay Mejia |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Make Me A World |
Publication date | March 21, 2023 |
| ISBN | 9780593378366 |
Lucha of the Night Forest is a 2023 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia.
| | |
| Author | Tehlor Kay Mejia |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Make Me A World |
Publication date | March 21, 2023 |
| ISBN | 9780593378366 |
Lucha of the Night Forest is a 2023 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia.
 | This article needs a plot summary.(August 2023) |
Lucha of the Night Forest was well received by critics, including a starred review from Shelf Awareness , whose Samantha Zaboski called the novel "immersive and lush". [1] Zaboski praised the novel's plotting, as well as the "exquisite examination of power structures [...] and unhealthy family dynamics". [1]
Kirkus Reviews called the novel "spellbinding", noting that it "features the author’s hallmark lush prose and rich fantasy trappings as it tells a captivating story in a Latin American–coded world. While some elements of the worldbuilding could have been more fully fleshed out, this story is inspiring and empowering, existing in the intersections between destiny and choice, history and myth, with strong roots in family bonds as well as a budding queer romance between Lucha and Paz." [2]
Booklist 's Allie Stevens called the novel "thought provoking and immersive", referring to the novel's setting "lushly described, dark, [and] gritty" and the plot "adventurous" and "fast-paced". [3]
Publishers Weekly wrote, "Lyrical prose and fiercely characterized protagonists make up the heart of this propulsive fantasy adventure." [4] They mentioned that the worldbuilding is limited, and the pacing is uneven, though this is "balanced out by high stakes, a lushly described Latin America–inspired setting teeming with dark atmospherics, and an unforgettable queer romance." [4]
Tor.com's Alex Brown noted that Lucha of the Night Forest is "heavy" with "death, murder, drug addiction, child abuse, implied sexual assault, child abandonment, and, um, fungus consuming people alive." [5] This breadth of heavy themes results in some complications, according to Brown: "Structurally, there’s a little too much plot happening a little too quickly. The story jumps around from trope to trope, all-encompassing subplot to all-encompassing subplot. The plot wasn’t difficult to follow; if the point was to leave the reader on edge then Mejia succeeded. The worldbuilding and magic system were fascinating and well-done, although a few aspects could have been fleshed out more given their importance to the story." [5] Despite this, Brown said, "Hope runs through this novel." [5]
School Library Journal also reviewed the novel. [6]
Crown Duel is a 2002 young adult fantasy novel written by American author Sherwood Smith, originally published as two separate books, Crown Duel (1997) and Court Duel (1998). Both stories take place in the fictional land of Sartorias-deles, a fantasy world Smith has written about since her youth. The first book follows the adventures of young Countess Meliara "Mel" Astiar of Tlanth as she and her small group of forces rebel against the greed of King Galdran; along the way the mysterious Marquis of Shevraeth aids her, though she distrusts him. With the king now dead, the second part focuses on Mel's journey to the court in Remalna-city, where she must navigate court intrigues surrounding Shevraeth's rise to power as king. In 2008 Smith also published a prequel about Shevraeth: A Stranger to Command.
The Wrath & the Dawn is a 2015 young adult novel by Renée Ahdieh. It is a reimagining of the Arabian Nights and is about a teenage girl, Shahrzad, who, as an act of revenge, volunteers to marry a caliph, Khalid, even though she is aware that he takes a new bride each night and has them executed at sunrise, but then finds herself falling in love with him.
Anna-Marie McLemore is a Mexican-American author of young adult fiction magical realism, best known for their Stonewall Honor-winning novel When the Moon Was Ours, Wild Beauty, and The Weight of Feathers.
Ruthanna Emrys is an American science fiction and fantasy writer best known for The Innsmouth Legacy series: The Litany of Earth, Winter Tide, and Deep Roots.
The Unspoken Name is a 2020 fantasy novel, the debut novel by A.K. Larkwood. Csorwe, an Oshaaru, is pledged to be sacrificed to the Unspoken God before she is rescued by the wizard Sethennai. She becomes his assassin and spy, dedicating her life to the search for a missing artifact. An unexpected encounter with a young mage calls Csorwe's loyalties into question. The Unspoken Name is the first in the planned Serpent Gates series.
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears is a 2020 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is the first novel in the Paola Santiago series, followed by Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares (2021) and Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (2022).
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares is a 2021 middle grade fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is the second novel in the Paola Santiago series, preceded by Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (2020) and followed by Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (2022).
A Brightness Long Ago is a historical fantasy novel by Canadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay published in 2019 by Viking Press. It is inspired from the events of 15th-century Italy leading to the Italian Wars, and particularly the feud between Federico da Montefeltro and Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta.
Children of Earth and Sky is a historical fantasy novel by Canadian writer Guy Gavriel Kay published in 2016. It was the first novel he wrote after receiving the Order of Canada.
The Ivory Key is a 2022 young adult fantasy novel by Indian American writer Akshaya Raman. Raman's debut novel inspired by Indian culture and mythology was published on 4 January 2022 by HarperCollins as the first book in a planned duology and follows four siblings as the embark on a journey to find the Ivory Key, a magical artefact capable of providing magic.
In The Serpent's Wake is a 2022 fantasy novel by Rachel Hartman. It is a sequel to Tess of the Road. It was published by Random House on February 1, 2022. In The Serpent's Wake was listed as one of the best science fiction and fantasy novels of 2022 in the New York Times and appeared on the Young Adult Library Services Association's 2023 list of Best Fiction for Young Adults. It was a finalist for the 2023 Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book, awarded at the Hugo Awards.
Dark Rise is a 2021 young adult fantasy novel by Australian author C. S. Pacat. The series has been well received by critics, and is noted for its queer protagonist.
City of Lies is a 2018 urban fantasy murder mystery novel by Sam Hawke. It is Hawke's debut novel and the first installment in the Poison Wars series.
Tread of Angels is a 2022 fantasy novella by Rebecca Roanhorse. It is a murder mystery set in a fictional Old West town which is inhabited by the descendants of both angels and demons.
Maggie Tokuda-Hall is an American author of children's and young adult novels.
When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain is a 2020 fantasy novella by Nghi Vo. It is the second novella in the Singing Hills Cycle, serving as a standalone sequel to The Empress of Salt and Fortune.
Tehlor Kay Mejia is an American author.
Miss Meteor is a 2020 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore.
We Set the Dark on Fire is a 2019 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia.
We Unleash the Merciless Storm is a 2020 young adult fantasy novel by Tehlor Kay Mejia. It is preceded by We Set the Dark on Fire.