★ 04/10/2023
In this page-turning mythological noir fantasy debut by Hatzopoulou, a cataclysm called the Collapse decimated the world and created other-born, descendants of gods who can wield their respective ancestral deity’s powers. The sunken city of Alante is home to 18-year-old Io Ora and her older sisters Thais and Ava. The trio are moira-born, able to see and alter threads of fate. After an emotional rift splits the siblings apart, Io, a fate cutter who can sever the threads that Thais and Ava spin, uses her ability to become a private investigator. When Io stumbles across a murder in an impoverished, gang-controlled corner of Alante, she discovers that wraiths—preternatural women whose fate-threads have been cut by an unknown interloper—are seeking vengeance for past transgressions. Io is hired by Fortuna, a local gang, to learn more; when she meets Fortuna’s second-in-command, Io realizes that he is her soul mate. Sizzling romance and action-packed sequences set against an intriguing plot plagued by political corruption and conspiracy build to a dynamic pace. The postapocalyptic mythos adds flair to the dark and mysterious premise, and intersectionally diverse characters round out this richly detailed adventure. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lauren E. Abramo, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (June)
★ “Sizzling romance and action-packed sequences set against an intriguing plot plagued by political corruption and conspiracy build to a dynamic pace. [A] richly detailed adventure.” —Publisher's Weekly, starred review
★ “With vivid and compelling writing, the narrative immerses readers in a unique world on the edge of ruin and an achingly slow romance. Hand to fans of Leigh Bardugo’s “Grishaverse” who are looking for a cutthroat and magical criminal underworld. With a unique world and layered mystery, readers will love this book.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Highly original worldbuilding…[and] plenty to engage fantasy fans, leaving them eager for the next installment. Classical mythology, police procedural, and romance combine in this imaginative, intriguing post-apocalyptic story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Hatzopoulou’s descriptive prose, with its touch of humor, is excellent . . . A quick, compulsive read.” —Booklist
“Dripping with atmosphere and edged with danger, Threads That Bind weaves together a gorgeous dark tapestry of mystery, fated romance, and modern myth. You won’t be able to put this one down.” —Alexandra Bracken, New York Times bestselling author of Lore
“Riveting and electrifying! In a world where the descendants of the Greek gods inherit enthralling supernatural powers, Kika Hatzopoulou weaves a gripping mystery full of secrets, murder, and betrayal. I was utterly ensnared to the last page.” —Leslie Vedder, bestselling author of the Bone Spindle trilogy
“Kika Hatzopoulou’s irresistible debut draws you in with a golden thread. Seamlessly weaving together magic, mythology, and mystery, Threads That Bind launches readers into a stunningly imagined world that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.” —Claire M. Andrews, author of the Daughter of Sparta trilogy
“Utterly riveting from start to finish! Hatzopoulou expertly weaves familiar threads of murder, fated lovers, feuding sisters, and ancient myths into a fresh, modern tapestry, one that gleams as bright as the threads of fate Io uses to navigate the sunken city of Alante. A story and heroine I won’t soon forget.” —Amanda Joy, author of the A River of Royal Blood duology
“Threads That Bind is a thrilling magical twist on the murder mystery. From rooftop bridges and flooded city streets to rundown apartments and glitzy gang clubs, Alante is a city where survival is paramount and nothing is simple. This is exactly the kind of story I’ve been craving.” —Nicki Pau Preto, author of the Crown of Feathers trilogy
“A flooded city full of magic and secrets, fallen gods, a thrilling mystery, and a heartfelt examination of the complex bonds of sisterhood. One of the most original and enjoyable debuts I’ve read.” —Lyndall Clipstone, author of the World at the Lake’s Edge duology and Unholy Terrors
★ 07/01/2023
Gr 9 Up—In a world where children of dead gods inherit their power, a descendant of the Greek Fates must use her powers to help hunt a killer. Io can see and manipulate the Quilt—the threads of Fate that link people to life and love—and often follows the strands in her work as a private investigator in the city of Alante. Daughters of the Fates are always born in threes, but that doesn't mean the sisters are close. Io's family dynamics become even more complicated when her estranged sister arrives on the scene hand in hand with her prime suspect. When Io's investigation puts her in the path of a boy she's destined to love, a thread marking them a rare pair of soulmates, she becomes even more entangled in the criminal underbelly of the Stilts. Hatzopoulou braids many plot lines together to create her dystopian world, deftly weaving a gripping narrative about class, self-determination, and generational trauma. With vivid and compelling writing, the narrative immerses readers in a unique world on the edge of ruin and an achingly slow romance as Io must decide whether to tell Edei about the heart-thread or let him choose on his own. There is diversity in race and orientation throughout the story. Hand to fans of Leigh Bardugo's "Grishaverse" who are looking for a cutthroat and magical criminal underworld. VERDICT With a unique world and layered mystery, readers will love this book. A definite purchase for all YA collections.—Emmy Neal
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw delivers a thrilling performance of this noirish fantasy. The descendants of gods live in a dystopian world; some have inherited the powers of their ancestors. Io and her two sisters are descended from The Fates; they can alter threads of life. Io uses her gift as a private detective and is hired by the mob queen, Bianca, to solve a series of murders. Bianca forces Io to work with her handsome associate, Edei. Unbeknownst to Edei, he is bound to Io through a thread of fate. Hutchinson-Shaw shines with the dialogue of villains, when her voice becomes deep and her delivery more deliberate, even scratchy at times. She uses pacing to deliver action-packed passages and infuses romantic scenes with emotions that may make listeners swoon. A.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw delivers a thrilling performance of this noirish fantasy. The descendants of gods live in a dystopian world; some have inherited the powers of their ancestors. Io and her two sisters are descended from The Fates; they can alter threads of life. Io uses her gift as a private detective and is hired by the mob queen, Bianca, to solve a series of murders. Bianca forces Io to work with her handsome associate, Edei. Unbeknownst to Edei, he is bound to Io through a thread of fate. Hutchinson-Shaw shines with the dialogue of villains, when her voice becomes deep and her delivery more deliberate, even scratchy at times. She uses pacing to deliver action-packed passages and infuses romantic scenes with emotions that may make listeners swoon. A.M. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
2023-03-14
Deities abandoned this nearly ruined world long ago; now their descendants, the other-born, wield lesser, inherited powers for good and evil in this duology opener.
Io is the youngest of three sisters descended from the Moirae, or Fates, but she has the deadliest gift: She can sever the threads of life spun by eldest sister Thais and manipulated by middle sister Ava. Orphaned early, the girls were left to fend for themselves. Ava’s a nightclub chanteuse, and Io’s a private detective. Thais disappeared two years ago. Trailing an errant spouse in the Silts, a sprawling, gang-controlled slum in the half-flooded city of Alante, Io uncovers a murder involving mysterious wraiths intent on avenging past injustices. She reports this to the Silts’ mob queen, Bianca, who lends Edei, her handsome, laconic associate, to help Io defeat them. They visit the mansion of the Nine, reclusive muse-borns, to attend an upscale political rally, and as they investigate, their connection grows. Should Io disclose the fate-thread that binds them? Characters’ descriptions suggest a multiracial population corresponding to European, Middle Eastern, and North African identities. The apocalyptic setting, including a cosmology in which Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pantheons offer clues to other-born powers, is a strength. The highly original worldbuilding effectively counters some overly familiar, noir-ish elements, occasionally inconsistent characterization, and frenetic pacing. But there’s plenty to engage fantasy fans, leaving them eager for the next installment.
Classical mythology, police procedural, and romance combine in this imaginative, intriguing post-apocalyptic story. (Fantasy. 14-18)