With action, adventure, and romance, Phoenix Flame is an epic young adult fantasy novel about the importance of doing what you know to be right.” —Foreword Reviews
“A fast-paced adventure about rebuilding lives and family.” —School Library Journal online
“Highly enjoyable, engrossing escapism.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This sequel gives readers more of what they loved in Maddie's first adventure, expanding the world and its intriguing mythology even further.” —Booklist
“Twisting plot threads intersecting with tantalizing glimpses of fully realized other realms, Havenfall creates a vibrant world where magic is closer and more dangerous than we know. Maddie is a delightfully messy and real teenager and I adored following her as she tried to untangle the mysteries around her.” —Emily A. Duncan, New York Times bestselling author of WICKED SAINTS and RUTHLESS GODS, on HAVENFALL
“Sara Holland weaves an enchanting and thrilling contemporary fantasy full of dark family secrets, heart-wrenching betrayal, and enticing magic. Readers will feel utterly transported.” —Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY, on HAVENFALL
“Rife with secrets, danger, and magic, Havenfall is a delightful read that blends a fantastical new world with ours in the most seamless and enthralling of ways.” —Hafsah Faizal, New York Times bestselling author of WE HUNT THE FLAME, on HAVENFALL
“Havenfall is contemporary fantasy at its finest, a smart, poignant rumination on home and family with a supernatural twist. Holland's seamless blending of reality and fantasy will leave you checking your closet doors for secret passages to other worlds, hoping to find a magical adventure of your own.” —Christine Lynn Herman, author of THE DEVOURING GRAY, on HAVENFALL
“Holland is no stranger to intricate worlds, as readers who loved Everless and its sequel will remember, and this new series starter is equally compelling.” —Booklist on HAVENFALL
“The twists are plentiful. . . . Fun premise and setting with a popcorn intrigue plot.” —Kirkus Reviews on HAVENFALL
“A suspenseful, engaging tale of a young woman trying to unravel her past to save her future.” —School Library Journal on HAVENFALL
“Gripping. . . . Holland populates her idyllic summit with a panoply of magical characters and powers.” —Publishers Weekly on HAVENFALL
“Sara Holland is a fierce storyteller. An intoxicating blend of blood, secrets, and haunting mythology.” —Stephanie Garber, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of CARAVAL, on EVERLESS
“Readers will lose themselves in [Holland's] stunning prose for hours on end and be hungry for more when they reach the last page.” —Laura Sebastian, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of ASH PRINCESS
“Propelled by inventive lore and magic, Jules' story is a heady, addicting page-turner. . . Utterly absorbing; a must for fans of Sarah J. Maas.” —Kirkus Reviews on EVERLESS
“Holland builds this world effortlessly. . . An action-packed, must-have fantasy for all YA shelves.” —School Library Journal on EVERLESS
“Holland's lush, intricately drawn world hides an undercurrent of darkness underneath a veneer of beauty and finery, and the twists are genuinely surprising. . . Readers will eagerly await her next journey.” —Publishers Weekly on EVERLESS
“Holland's debut is set in an intricate and immersive fantasy world. The concept of Everless is refreshing and unique.” —Booklist on EVERLESS
10/30/2020
GR 9 UP-This sequel to Havenfall begins after the battle with the Silver Prince. Armed with new information, Maddie Morrow is on a quest to stop the Soul Silver trade and find her brother, Nate, who might still be alive. Aided by a piece mythological armor, Maddie enters Fiordenkill with Brekken to visit the estate of the man she believes stole her brother. A surprising encounter leads to several plot twists that will make readers by turns fearful and joyful. Maddie and her friends make decisions that create a domino effect that could destroy the peace between the realms. Slowly, Maddie pieces her friends and family back together and takes on the Silver Prince again as he continues his efforts to control Havenfall. Throughout, she deals with her attraction to both Brekken and Taya, trying to understand if she can build a future with either one of them, or if they will return to their realms. This story is prefaced by an old Fiorden folktale and a brief introduction to the magical realms the inn has doorways to. VERDICT A fast-paced adventure about rebuilding lives and family. A good purchase if you already have the first book.—Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Lib., WA
2020-12-10
After Havenfall (2020), Maddie’s determined to fight the soul trade.
The defeated Silver Prince is still out there and therefore still a threat to the Inn at Havenfall—and so recovering Innkeeper Marcus is focusing on stabilizing the diplomacy of the realms’ peace summit and protecting the inn. By contrast, Maddie searches for leads on the soul trade (captured Solarians have parts of their souls put in silver objects to enchant them), including visiting her mother on death row to learn the full truth about when her adopted Solarian brother was abducted. The story frequently circles back to an old Fiordenkill fairy tale involving a set of armor made out of phoenix flame, a magical substance that enables wearers to safely travel to other realms. Though some plot elements rely on credibility-straining decisions (such as Maddie’s being allowed on a mission she’s not qualified for) and coincidences, the expanded settings, quick pacing, and compelling characters (with complicated emotional ties and suspiciousness) give readers plenty of incentive to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the ride. The romantic storyline is well incorporated into the main plot, which itself combines multiple threads smoothly for a climax that soundly handles an imminent problem and sets up for a changed status quo for a next book. While many characters are not described, most who are default to White.
Highly enjoyable, engrossing escapism. (introduction to the Adjacent Realms, bonus chapter) (Fantasy. 12-adult)
