Venom & Vow

March 15, 2023
Two trans teens find each other and themselves in this romantic fantasy for fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling and A.R. Capetta's The Brilliant Death. Bigender Val has always felt like both a boy and a girl: Valencia, a lady-in-waiting in Eliana's court, and Gael, a knife-wielding boy assassin. Cade isn't sure who he is anymore: Having transitioned and gone stealth, he has no interest in the throne but frequently doubles for his brother, Patrick, Adare's reluctant prince. Val and Cade are enemies, both convinced they saw the other curse their families into an enchanted sleep that escalated their nations' long-running war. When royalty from both sides agree to pursue diplomacy, Cade and Val are reluctantly--and then not-so-reluctantly--thrust into each other's orbits. Although readers will root for Val and Cade as individuals and partners, the kingdoms' underdeveloped magic systems and ever present yet lightly explored conflict can make it difficult to be invested in the enemies portion of their enemies-to-lovers romance. The nations of Eliana and Adare are inspired by Mexico and Ireland, respectively. Val uses a cane due to scoliosis and hypermobility, and Cade has a staff, which helps with walking following a war injury to his knee. Refreshingly, their disabilities are woven into every part of their narratives, including highly compelling fight scenes. Although secondary characters feel less fleshed out, there are many queer secondary characters, including an entire transmasc abbey with a binder business. Outstanding transgender and disabled representation shines through despite less robust worldbuilding. (Fantasy. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 13, 2023
Married cowriters Anna-Marie (Lakelore) and debut author Elliott McLemore empathetically interrogate issues of self via dual-identity situations in
an uplifting fantastical romance. After negotiations fail between warring kingdoms Adare and Eliana, an unknown party sends the monarchs of both realms into an enchanted sleep. Later, mishaps occur when Eliana’s Crown Princess Bryna visits Adare’s Crown Prince Patrick in a second attempt at peace, fostering further distrust. Unbeknownst to most, Patrick’s brother, Cade, is transgender and the throne’s rightful heir; however, Cade fears Adare will reject a trans king, so Patrick leads, and Cade occasionally serves as his double. As suspicions fester between the kingdoms, Bryna’s lady-in-waiting, bi-gender Valencia—also a covert male assassin—investigates Cade, who Val believes bewitched the rulers as a power play, while Cade suspects Val of the same. In truth, they share a common enemy and must overcome misgivings and bring secrets to light if they’re to save the day. Alternating chapters narrated by Cade and Val heighten the tension as the duo gradually unravel their feelings about themselves and each other. Though initially haphazard plotting and worldbuilding lack focus, things coalesce for an impactful third act, and the McLemores approach the teens’ challenges with candor and grace. The boldly drawn cast is intersectionally diverse; both protagonists use canes. Ages 13–up.

July 1, 2023
Gael, a highly trained assassin, is the male alter ego of Valencia, companion to the ruler of Eliana. Cade is the half-brother of the ruler of Adare, in a war against Eliana. Gael and Cade meet when Gael gets caught behind enemy lines, and Cade (himself in disguise as his royal brother) doesn't execute him but instead returns him to his own court, taking a first step toward peace. Covert identities and revelations keep readers on their toes: for instance, Cade will not hurt Gael because he's sworn an oath to "harm not our own," meaning men and boys who, like him, had not been assigned male at birth. With both Cade and Gael/Valencia skilled in hand-to-hand combat and strategic thinking, their sparring, told from alternating points of view, is always engaging, while an injured knee (Cade) and a hypermobile spine (Gael) humanize them, sympathetically showing athletic characters living with chronic pain. Magic is omnipresent (luminous foxes, quetzals born from tapestries), lending an extrasensory dimension to the tale, and astute readers will pick up on Irish and Mexican elements from the two kingdoms. Everyone's happily-ever-after is threatened by a climactic revelation, but those hoping for a feel-good ending will not be disappointed. Anita L. Burkam

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

August 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-Magic, myth, and identity (both mistaken and real) weave through the vibrant tapestry of this collaboration. On the night that a powerful curse befell their two kingdoms and swept their elders into an enchanted sleep, Cade and Val were each convinced they saw the other casting the spell. The aftermath of the curse exacerbated the ongoing war between their nations and forced them to assume the leadership roles of their parents. Cade, a transgender man, often steps in as a body double for his brother, Prince Patrick. Val also lives a double life: as Valencia, the young Queen Bryn's lady in waiting, and as Gael, a boy assassin and spy. When Prince Patrick and Queen Bryn agree to meet and discuss peace, Cade and Val are thrust together and immediately feel attraction and suspicion. Much flirty fighting and banter ensue, making this a perfect choice for readers who prefer a heavy dose of romance with their fantasy. The kingdoms of Eliana and Adare are also beautifully described with poetic imagery and language steeped in Irish Gaelic and Aztec culture, respectively. Both protagonists face authentic challenges while exploring their gender identities; however, the fantasy world here is mostly refreshingly accepting, including an abbey where Cade and Val meet other transmasculine folks and learn to be their most authentic selves. The characters also experience chronic pain due to disability, which often impacts them but never holds them back. VERDICT Some uneven pacing and awkward time jumps mar the second half of the book, but the authentic representation and romance make this a great choice for fans of A.R. Capetta and Aiden Thomas.-Catherine Cote

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from April 15, 2023
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Bigender Val lives simultaneously as Valencia, a lady-in-waiting of the nation of Eliana (inspired by Mexico), and Gael, a boy assassin. Cade is a transgender prince of Adare (inspired by Ireland) who has no interest in taking the throne but often doubles for his brother, Patrick. For years, both Val and Cade have believed the other to be responsible for the curse that enchanted both their families into sleep, which deepened the ongoing war between Eliana and Adare. Cade has vowed to protect Gael, not knowing Val is the same person; Val doesn't realize that when she's fighting Patrick, she's actually fighting Cade. Thanks to their concealed identities, the two trans teens begin to fall in love while not realizing that they're trying to destroy each other. Val and Cade are incredibly layered, and they complement each other so well, which makes it fun to watch their relationship unfold. Both Cade and Val have disabilities that are interwoven beautifully into every aspect of the story: Val uses a cane to help support hypermobility and scoliosis, while Cade uses a staff after a knee injury. Both of their trans identities and relevant personal journeys are well written and add dimension to their romantic relationship. Enemies-to-lovers romances rarely offer this much emotional depth, and fans of the trope will find a lot to love about this coauthored romantic YA fantasy.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Anna-Marie McLemore (Self-Made Boys, 2022) is a two-time National Book Award nominee with a cohort of passionate fans. This, their first book cowritten with their spouse, piles on the romantic appeal.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2023
Gael, a highly trained assassin, is the male alter ego of Valencia, companion to the ruler of Eliana. Cade is the half-brother of the ruler of Adare, in a war against Eliana. Gael and Cade meet when Gael gets caught behind enemy lines, and Cade (himself in disguise as his royal brother) doesn't execute him but instead returns him to his own court, taking a first step toward peace. Covert identities and revelations keep readers on their toes: for instance, Cade will not hurt Gael because he's sworn an oath to "harm not our own," meaning men and boys who, like him, had not been assigned male at birth. With both Cade and Gael/Valencia skilled in hand-to-hand combat and strategic thinking, their sparring, told from alternating points of view, is always engaging, while an injured knee (Cade) and a hypermobile spine (Gael) humanize them, sympathetically showing athletic characters living with chronic pain. Magic is omnipresent (luminous foxes, quetzals born from tapestries), lending an extrasensory dimension to the tale, and astute readers will pick up on Irish and Mexican elements from the two kingdoms. Everyone's happily-ever-after is threatened by a climactic revelation, but those hoping for a feel-good ending will not be disappointed.

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)