Publishers Weekly
10/05/2020
Before an outing with friends gives her supernatural powers, the biggest trial of perfectionist Prudence Barnett’s sophomore year has been her lab partner, Quint Erickson. He’s sloppy and runs late, and just when she should be free of him, a chance to improve their bad final presentation grade makes her volunteer at the sea animal rehabilitation center that he helps his mother run. Now, Pru is slogging through fish-gut-related chores alongside annoying Quint—but also enjoying her new power, which gives her the ability to mete out instant karmic justice upon anyone she feels is exhibiting selfish behavior, like stealing from a vending machine or defacing a sign. She finds the power satisfying until she realizes that good and bad are less clear, and less binary, than she thought. Meyer (the Lunar Chronicles) turns a rom-com trope—uptight protagonist meets free spirit and learns to have fun—into an interesting meditation on judgment and justice. Readers who push through the slow beginning will be rewarded with a book that offers a real sense of place (a touristy Southern California beach community filled with otters and sea lions) alongside a satisfying romance and an unsanctimonious lesson about the importance of changing one’s ideas about oneself and others when needed. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
New York Times Bestseller!
#1 Indie Bestseller!
"Ultimately, Marissa Meyer's Instant Karma is a delightful book that will have you longing for the beach...Quint and Pru's relationship is a fun, quirky enemies-to-love story that definitely leaves the reader satisfied." —National Public Radio (NPR)
"The story’s heart makes it a romantic tale well worth reading, and the inclusion of marine life rescue centers is an added bonus. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Maurene Goo, or Meg Cabot."—Booklist
School Library Journal
09/01/2020
Gr 8 Up—Prudence Daniels is facing a C in science. It's the worst failure in her academic career, and it's all thanks to her irresponsible lab partner, Quint Erickson, who rarely does the work and shows up late to their group presentation. Her science teacher allows her to re-do the assignment on the condition that she and Quint work together. Now, she's got to convince Quint to work with her again, and with the power of instant karma in her hands, it just might work. But karma and Quint don't always work the way that Pru expects them to. This enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance has the slightest whiff of magical realism as Prudence mysteriously gains the power to reward or punish, but the mechanic is underutilized, and Prudence's choices always backfire on her, largely telegraphing the twists and turns of the plot. Despite its flaws, however, this is an enjoyable read. The romance is a slow burn, and though Pru initially thinks Quint is lazy and irresponsible, readers will be drawn to his work at the sea animal rescue center in the same way that Pru is. Pru is described as white; Quint is described as having tan skin. Secondary characters are well-drawn, particularly Pru's Latinx friend Ari. A brief mystery subplot near the end of the story amps up tension as the romance coalesces. It is solved a little too easily, but that won't deter readers from this breezy, beachy read. VERDICT Though not as compelling as some of Meyer's other works, this light, airy romance should appeal to fans of Emma Lord's Tweet Cute and Crystal Cestari's The Best Kind of Magic.—Mimi Powell, Lib. Systs. and Svcs., Kissimmee, FL
