Lakesedge

August 2, 2021
Clipstone’s literal-leaning, overwhelmingly white fantasy debut runs the Gothic trope list aesthetically but founders under a looping compulsion for self-sacrifice. Foundling Violeta Graceling, 17, can see her younger brother Arien’s nightmares—shadows that claw her through his hands and draw their pious foster mother’s violence to burn death god The Lord Under out of him. But when regional lord Rowan—a beautiful, facially scarred 19-year-old who purportedly murdered his family—notices Arien’s power and spirits him to the cursed Lakesedge Estate, Violeta forces her way in, obsessed with protecting Arien. Rowan plans to use Arien’s magic to mend the Corruption that is poisoning Lakesedge and consuming him. But as dark visions stalk the halls, Violeta discovers that the estate’s secrets connect to the magic she traded away in a devil’s bargain years ago—and she might have to choose between her attraction to Rowan and mending him and Lakesedge both. Narrator Violeta’s controlling reflexes and an unsubtle blurring between desire and violence combine disturbingly with challenges repeatedly solved through self-harm, resulting in a linguistically lush fantasy of helplessness whose plotting frequently bends around emotion rather than developing its own ideas. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary.

August 15, 2021
A girl makes a deal with the devil to save a monster. Seventeen-year-old Violeta Graceling and her 13-year-old brother, Arien, live with Mother, their adopted parent. Arien is consumed by a dark magic that frightens Mother, whose fear manifests itself as horrific abuse. When the village landowner, Lord Rowan Sylvanan (also known as the Monster of Lakesedge for murdering his family), comes to take Arien away to use his magic, Violeta demands to accompany them. Rowan wants Arien to use his power to help fight the Corruption, a dark force that threatens to consume the entire kingdom. When their attempts fail, Violeta makes a desperate deal with the devilish deity the Lord Under in order to save those she loves. Predictably, Violeta falls for Rowan. She learns that his monstrous moniker may not be what it seems: While he is mysterious and moody, their romance quickly ratchets from bickering to swooning to positively incendiary. Clipstone's gothic fantasy has nods to "Beauty and the Beast" and the myth of Persephone. While at times this novel can feel a bit formulaic, dark fantasy and romance fans will likely overlook this, getting lost in the layered drama and romance. Most characters are assumed White; a secondary character is queer. Brooding and atmospheric. (Dark fantasy. 14-adult)

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