Sword in the Stars

Starred review from April 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-A thrilling sequel and epic conclusion to Capetta and McCarthy's Once and Future. After defeating the Mercer Corporation in her first battle, Ari (the 42nd incarnation of King Arthur), Queen Gweneviere, the cursed young Merlin, and the Rainbow Knights travel back in time to the Middle Ages to steal Arthur's Grail from the all-seeing time enchantress, the Lady of the Lake. While on the perilous quest, these futuristic time-traveling heroes can't skew the time line or alter the course of history-an impossible task once Ari comes face-to-face with the original Arthurian legend, and the young, cursed Merlin meets his older past self. After completing her quest, Ari must face a powerful foe in the final battle that will determine her fate and the end or continuation of the curse that brings the Arthurian legend alive throughout time. This is a stimulating installment in a stellar series. The descriptions, character development, unique plot twists, and conclusion will leave readers thirsting for a third novel. Pair with Kiersten White's The Guinevere Deception and Mari Mancusi's The Camelot Code. VERDICT This inclusive, gender-bent adventure story is a must-have science fiction/fantasy sequel for all young adult collections.-Angelina Bair, Lakewood Public Library, OH

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2020
A band of heroes travels through time to put an end to King Arthur's tragedy and save their future from corporate corruption. In this second and final installment of a science-fiction reimagining of Arthurian legend, Ari, Merlin, and their friends crash into the past to steal a magic chalice from Camelot. They are guided by their quest to set the spirit of King Arthur free from his cycle of reincarnation and put a stop to Mercer, a murderous mega-corporation. However, their plans fall apart when they find themselves entangled in the legend--love triangle included--with Ari in the role of Lancelot and Gwen married to Arthur. Meanwhile, Merlin ages backward every time he uses magic. One false move could disrupt their whole timeline. Capetta (The Storm of Life, 2020, etc.) and McCarthy (Once & Future, 2019, etc.) have crafted a fast-paced, turbulent plotline with satisfying twists and luscious queer romance. Throughout they critique the whitewashing of medieval European history and, particularly, Arthurian retellings. Their cast of characters displays an intentional diversity of identities, including polyamorous. Encounters with Merlin's past self and conflict with the Lady of the Lake explore the question of what makes someone a villain. Without rushing, the story resolves through a path of healing from the trauma of the past. A heroic finale. (Science fiction. 14-18)

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February 15, 2020
Grades 8-12 The delightful escapades of Ari and her queer cadre of knights continue in this satisfyingly irreverent follow-up to Once & Future (2019). Those rusty on the first book's events, especially the role of the Mercer Corporation, will want to refresh before jumping into Capetta and McCarthy's madcap reworking of the Arthurian quest for the Holy Grail. Through a powerful bit of magic, Ari and company go back to the original Arthur's time, in hope of using the Grail to break the cycle of Arthur's reincarnation, as well as Merlin's cursed backward aging. As with any good time travel story, tension over messing up the future by disrupting the past thrums, not to mention the dangers of narrow-minded medieval society. It is a surprisingly eye-opening experience, and not just for the historical residents. Gwen, pregnant with Kay's baby, takes her prescribed place as Arthur's wife, turning Ari into this story's Lancelot. Meanwhile, Merlin's quest to discover his origins (and contend with his crotchety former self) is heart-wrenching and hilarious by turns. Empowering and boisterously modern.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)