Publishers Weekly
01/08/2024
Clara has lived her whole life knowing that she was different from the other people in her town. Everyone around her is ruled by the Storm, a daily occurrence that stupefies and erases the memories of every inhabitant, except for Clara. Her solitary companion, an entity named Cael, exists only in her mind, until her teacher and classmates suddenly become cognizant of her apparent ability to avoid the consequences of the storm and try to kidnap her. To protect Clara, Cael assumes a shadow form and escorts her to Khalom, a magical realm. There, she begins recalling memories of the life Cael claims she once lived in Khalom; reconnects with her Center, or her special ability to command death, of which she is the final wielder; and learns that she is a Noble, born to protect Khalom from the Divining Masters, who send the Storm that feeds on the townspeople’s memories. Somewhat overwrought exposition and convoluted, undeveloped worldbuilding hamper the novel’s impact. Nevertheless, this intriguing read by Shamy (The Dollmaker, for adults) provides much in the way of unique and interesting concepts that turn many classic high-fantasy genre beats on their heads. Ages 13–up. Agent: Marisa Corvisiero, Corvisiero Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"[T]his intriguing read by Shamy (The Dollmaker, for adults) provides much in the way of unique and interesting concepts that turn many classic high-fantasy genre beats on their heads.” —Publishers Weekly
“The original premise stands out, and the worldbuilding is meticulous.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Layers of self-discovery across multiple dimensions make The Stricken a unique, page-turning tale.” —Foreword Reviews
“Riveting with its unique magic and world-building, The Stricken will keep you guessing with new twists on every page.”—Rosalyn Briar, USA Today Bestselling author
“An adventurous fantasy with twists and turns you’ll never see coming and characters that breathe life into the pages. A unique experience to be had!” —Carly Spade, USA Today bestselling author
School Library Journal
05/01/2024
Gr 8 Up—The gray clouds roll in and Clara searches frantically for her mother. The Storm is almost upon them and she knows if she can get far enough away, her mother may not lose as many memories as usual. Clara is the only one whose memory is not affected by The Storm. Seeking answers, she follows Cael, a presence who has been with her since she can remember, to an alternate world known as Khalom, where she discovers her true lineage. Learning with others who have powers, she must fight against the Diviners, creators of The Storm, to rediscover the power only she seems to possess: Death. Shamy brings another title to the highly popular fiction genre known now as romantasy. Here, magical superpowers and alternate worlds add an extra dimension to the love triangle that Clara finds herself in. Requiring a lot of lore to shore up the setting unfortunately gives the novel more of a "tell" rather than "show" quality, which can lead to confusion in the early parts of the story. Once the world and its systems are established, Shamy hits her stride and delivers a story that will appeal to all who love the genre. VERDICT The novel adds parallel worlds to the magic and love story of this romantasy. Readers will adore the strong female protagonist and her mission to save her world and those she loves.—Adam Fisher
Kirkus Reviews
2023-12-16
Every night during sleep, people’s spirits journey to a parallel universe, but only the Nobles are conscious of their dual lives.
Those from Noble bloodlines can move freely between Khalom, the city located beyond white gates that they’re responsible for protecting, and Desolation, or “everywhere outside of the city.” Seventeen-year-old Clara has been trapped outside Khalom for a decade, her memory of the city lost until a mysterious entity guides her back. Her return incites fear among her new classmates: Like her grandmother before her, Clara has the power of Death. She becomes a formidable student and a critical player in a struggle for Khalom’s survival. In the physical world, Clara strives to protect her brother from a group seeking to utilize her bloodline’s extraordinary abilities. In Khalom, she fights disgraced Nobles who threaten to destroy both worlds in their search for immortality. The original premise stands out, and the worldbuilding is meticulous, but the plot is complex to the point of being convoluted, potentially overwhelming readers before they have the chance to bond with the characters. The interconnected plotlines across the two worlds feel disorienting, though they do ultimately coalesce. Clara’s internal conflicts depict her less as a chosen one and more as a teenager grappling with situations larger than herself. Clara is cued white; there’s racial diversity among secondary characters.
An ambitious story that tries to do too much, but fans of intricate fantasies will find elements to enjoy. (Fantasy. 14-18)
