From the Publisher
Praise for NOCTURNA: “What makes Motayne’s debut title singular and special is that her kingdom is Latinx, with brown-skinned, curly-haired people and Spanish sprinkled throughout…. Cinematic, plentiful action as well as intriguing protagonists will pull many a fantasy reader, and the richly detailed world will keep them reading.” — ALA Booklist
Praise for NOCTURNA: “This fantasy set in a Latinx kingdom explores the lasting effects of childhood trauma, the destructive potential of grief, and the redemptive power of love…. the stakes are high, Finn and Alfie’s reluctant attraction rings true, and a gratifying conclusion paves the way for book two.” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for NOCTURNA: “A promising debut with unique magic and two strong protagonists among a varied ensemble cast.” — School Library Journal
Praise for NOCTURNA: “This searing, magical Latinx-inspired fantasy pulled me in from the first page and did not let me go. I loved adventuring with brave Alfie and brash Finn, and I held my breath until the end. Nocturna is a magnificent debut, powerful and true.” — Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns
Praise for NOCTURNA: “Nocturna is an exhilarating adventure, bursting with lively, inventive magic and characters who charmed me the instant they appeared on the page. If you want to get swept up in a story, pick this one.” — New York Times bestselling author Margaret Rogerson
Praise for NOCTURNA: “Fantasy fans will embrace the creative worldbuilding and welcome these flawed and multi-layered characters into their hearts.” — Cinda Williams Chima,author of the best-selling Seven Realms series
"The story mixes magic, romance, and political intrigue while thoughtfully exploring the topic of colonialism and its consequences and the fraught relationship between magic, power, and systems of oppression. A cliffhanger ending sets up a promising foundation for the upcoming trilogy closer." — Kirkus Reviews
Julie C. Dao
Praise for NOCTURNA: “This searing, magical Latinx-inspired fantasy pulled me in from the first page and did not let me go. I loved adventuring with brave Alfie and brash Finn, and I held my breath until the end. Nocturna is a magnificent debut, powerful and true.”
New York Times bestselling author Margaret Rogerson
Praise for NOCTURNA: “Nocturna is an exhilarating adventure, bursting with lively, inventive magic and characters who charmed me the instant they appeared on the page. If you want to get swept up in a story, pick this one.
Cinda Williams Chima
Praise for NOCTURNA: “Fantasy fans will embrace the creative worldbuilding and welcome these flawed and multi-layered characters into their hearts.
ALA Booklist
Praise for NOCTURNA: “What makes Motayne’s debut title singular and special is that her kingdom is Latinx, with brown-skinned, curly-haired people and Spanish sprinkled throughout…. Cinematic, plentiful action as well as intriguing protagonists will pull many a fantasy reader, and the richly detailed world will keep them reading.
Kirkus Reviews
2023-09-19
Alfie and Finn face a new threat to the kingdom of Castallan in this sequel to Nocturna (2019).
It’s been a few months since Prince Alfie and thief Finn saved the world from the evil god Sombra. Alfie is assuming his role as heir to the throne of Castallan and stepping up to fulfill his late brother’s dream of hosting a peace summit with their neighbors (and former colonizers) from Englass. Meanwhile, after exploring the world for a time, Finn returns home to find herself the leader of the powerful underground crime syndicate that operates in Castallan. An unexpected connection between the two characters and their parallel storylines sets them on a collision course when the peace summit becomes the target of the terrorist organization responsible for Alfie’s brother’s murder. The ensuing investigation unveils an even larger threat to everything they hold dear. This sequel proves to be stronger than its predecessor thanks to its higher stakes and deeper character development. The story mixes magic, romance, and political intrigue while thoughtfully exploring the topic of colonialism and its consequences and the fraught relationship between magic, power, and systems of oppression. The world is Latine-inspired; Finn, Alfie, and most characters from Castallan are brown-skinned.
The plot thickens, and a cliffhanger ending sets up a promising foundation for the upcoming trilogy closer. (Fantasy. 14-18)
