May 1, 2022
Gr 4-8-Despite saving the Mortalrealm in the previous volume, 13-year-old Riley Oh doesn't feel like a hero. The consequences of her actions rendered the Gom clan of gifted healers powerless. To make matters worse, because of a deal struck with a demon, Riley's closest friends and parents have no memory of her. But Riley is determined to redeem herself by journeying to the Spiritrealm, home to heaven and hell, to secure for the Goms a new patron deity who can restore their magic. Like most of her plans, this isn't as easy as she imagined. The Spiritrealm is experiencing issues of its own, and Riley becomes entangled in a much larger conspiracy that threatens the future of both worlds. Healing the damage she's caused and protecting family and friends is Riley's main motivation. She carries plenty of guilt and remorse that prevents her from allowing others to help. Through her experiences in the Spiritrealm and discovering an unlikely ally, Riley finds strength in letting in those around her. Diving deeper into Korean mythology, this sequel in the "Gifted Clans" series further expands a richly built world of mythical creatures and divine beings. Many Korean terms and cultural references are included. VERDICT An enthralling fantasy adventure that never forgets the heart at its core.-Sophie Kenney
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
April 1, 2022
Riley Oh sets out on another quest--this time into the afterlife--determined to fix all the problems she's caused. Thirteen-year-old Riley succeeded in saving her sister, Hattie, and her magical clan from their vindictive goddess, but not without a price. Her clan has lost their magic, and, though Hattie is back, she's still weak, and she's not getting better. Feeling as though she's let everyone down, Riley decides to track down a new patron for her clan in order to restore their magic. The only problems: She'll have to go to the Korean Spiritrealm to find him, and she doesn't want to endanger anyone else she cares about. Along with the mysterious Dahl, Riley explores the underworld, which oddly resembles New York City and in which spirits are given tour guides and sentenced to vacations instead of trials. Despite the restructuring, something isn't right in the Spiritrealm, and fixing it will have consequences in the land of the living. With dry humor and rough-and-tumble theatrics, Riley's story continues as she grapples with guilt, belonging, and her own identity and self-confidence (Riley is Korean American and was adopted by her Korean family). The novel deftly balances the fun and the serious. The stakes are high, though Riley simply wants to do the right thing for her family and her community. A nonstop, Korean-inspired fantasy adventure that also tackles darker emotions. (glossary) (Fantasy. 9-13)
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Starred review from May 1, 2022
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* Kim continues the Gifted Clans series, which incorporates elements of Korean mythology into contemporary settings, in this exciting new installment that follows the Godrealm's last fallen star, Riley Oh, as she grapples with the truths behind her newly revealed identity as a nonmagical person born into the gifted world. With most of her friends and family being unable to remember her, things are difficult enough, and certain folks from her past are still out to get her, branding her a clan wrecker, but when a coven of angry witches curses Riley's home, she will do anything to help restore the balance and the magic in her community--even if that means going to extremes, like popping back into the dangerous Spiritrealm. Kim's fantastical narrative introduces new faces--like Dahl, a heaven-born boy whose mysterious backstory will eventually be discovered, for better or worse--and reintroduces familiar favorites, like Riley's beloved sister, Hattie, a steadfast ally. Folklore enthusiasts will rejoice at the return to monster-filled lands and new whimsical worlds where anything can happen, and Riley's signature fun attitude and relatable voice will captivate readers who are just meeting her here, as she continues to search for a sense of belonging in a world that constantly challenges her identity.
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