Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A century ago in the realm of Azenor, the Duke of Seren's court orchestrated his assassination. Before dying, he cast a curse, sealing his mountain fortress, populating it with "tangible nightmares," and dooming the conspirators to dreamless immortality until they all "return as one to break the curse." Every new moon, the curse spreads to the surrounding duchies, bringing select nightmares to life. Ambrose Madigan is nearby Heres-with's town magician, using spells to combat whatever nocturnal horrors materialize. His daughter Clementine, 17, is poised to become his partner--until magicians Phelan and Lennox Vesper best them in a challenge, and Lennox takes Ambrose's job. The Madigans relocate to the city of Endellion, where Clementine magically alters her appearance and finds work with an unsuspecting Phelan, whom she seeks to ruin. Reluctant attraction sparks, and Clementine realizes they are both pawns in the same dangerous game. But who is manipulating them--and to what end? An imaginative if occasionally half-baked mythology distinguishes this stand-alone fantasy from Ross (Sisters of Sword and Song). The action and stakes feel slight, but abundant intrigue, escalating romantic tension, and twisty plotting keeps readers on their toes. Most characters cue as white. Ages 14--up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Every new moon, Clem Madigan patrols the streets of her small town with her father as a dream warden, to fight the nightmares of the townsfolk made real by a curse that plagues the kingdom. That is, until a pair of rival wardens win guardianship of their town in a challenge, leaving Clem's father to return to his estranged wife in the city, Clem in tow. Refusing to let the theft of her home go unpunished, Clem devises a plan to disguise herself and take revenge on the rival wardens--only to realize that there are much deeper machinations afoot. With the atmosphere and pacing of a fairy tale, but with a milder form of the political maneuvering more popular in modern fantasy, this is simultaneously reminiscent of both Caraval and Finale by Stephanie Garber. Clem and her rival wardens are well rounded, although the rapidity with which the plot unfolds leaves character depth relatively unexplored. The combination of mystery, magic, action, and intrigue is quite a bit to pack into one book, but Ross maintains an excellent balance throughout that will satisfy even the most selective fantasy readers. For the most part, characters are cued white. VERDICT A strong addition to collections where fantasy is popular.--Austin Ferraro, Brambleton Lib./Loudoun County P.L., Brambleton, VA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A teen seeks revenge in a land of dreams and nightmares. In the town of Hereswith, beneath the cursed Seren Mountains, Clementine and her father, the warden, record the townsfolk's dreams and confront the walking nightmares that appear every new moon. Clem, the opposite of her cautious father, is a headstrong apprentice eager to explore the limits of her magic. When two young magicians appear before the new moon to challenge her father for wardenship of Hereswith, Clem's entire world is ripped apart. Seeking revenge, Clem discovers old family secrets and uncovers the truth behind the century-old Seren curse. The worldbuilding is well rounded, incorporating history, politics, and economics as well as an original and detailed magic system that is expertly woven into the plot and mythology. Similarly, discussions of creativity, both in art and in magic, add an extra layer of interest. The themes of recognizing one's true self, controlling one's emotions, the importance of family and home, and lies versus truth are well developed within Clem's overarching quest for vengeance. While the curse originally appears straightforward, its unveiled complexity is pleasantly surprising. A slow-burning romance primarily emphasizes character development. The main characters are White; there is an interracial lesbian couple in the supporting cast. A twisty tale of nightmares, secrets, and curses that readers won't soon forget. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
