Burn Mark

May 7, 2012
Secrets, lies, and crime go hand in hand with magic and mystery in this urban fantasy from Powell (The Game of Triumphs). In an alternate present-day England, witches are a small but present minority, licensed and regulated by the government, at risk of being burned alive if they’re caught misusing their powers. On the same day, two 15-year-olds come into their powers: Glory Wilde, part of a witch family entangled in crime, and Lucas Stearne, son of a High Inquisitor. When Lucas volunteers for an undercover assignment to prove his worth and offset the stigma of being a witch, he and Glory become uneasy allies, united as they discover a corrupt conspiracy involving the Inquisition that could spell disaster for witches everywhere. Twists and surprises abound in this fascinating drama. Although the story is a bit dense and slow-moving in places, Powell’s world-building is solid, her details are grounded, and the novel’s magic system is refreshingly logical. A satisfying series opener with hints of Holly Black and Diana Wynne Jones. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sarah Molloy, A.M. Heath.

Starred review from May 1, 2012
Crime noir meets paranormal romance in this addictive thriller about two London teens in whom the fae awakens, conferring abilities at once exhilarating and harshly stigmatized. Glory exults in her strong powers, although Auntie Angel warns her to hide them from the organized-crime covens ruling their hardscrabble neighborhood; otherwise, she could be forced to marry Wednesday Coven-heir Troy Morgan. (Powerful witches are rare and the gift runs in families.) To Lucas, whose ancestry includes England's most distinguished inquisitors, his awakening fae feels like a door slamming on his future and his father's career as Chief Prosecutor of the Inquisitorial Court. Asked to investigate who's sabotaging an important legal case, Lucas jumps at the chance, working with a skeptical Glory. In this alternative contemporary England, witches have achieved some rights and can even have careers, provided they're "bridled" (fitted with magic-preventing iron). Still, stake burning remains legal, though regulated; growing popular movements advocate witch genocide. Political intrigue and class warfare, inquisitorial office and coven politics are densely detailed without overwhelming the characters or slowing the pace as the narrative builds to a tense climax so cinematic that readers will find themselves mentally casting the film version. This smart, stylish series opener raises the bar for paranormal fiction, leaving readers impatient for the next installment. (author's note) (Urban fantasy. 12 & up)

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July 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-Set in a modern-day England where witchcraft is highly regulated and discrimination against "witches" is prevalent, this coming-of-age novel manages to be an action-packed read and a metaphor for intolerance and suspicion currently experienced by some minorities. Two teens come into their fae power on the same day. Upper-class Lucas is a the son of a seventh-generation inquisitor, the public servants charged with prosecuting "fae" crimes, and he plans to follow in his father's footsteps. Then he finds the "Devil's Kiss" on his back and feels the power awaken within. This unexpected and unwelcome power means the end of his father's career and a life of heavy supervision by the state, as he will, of course, register himself and submit to the mandated testing and binding of minors. Working-class Glory, on the other hand, is overjoyed the day her power awakens. Daughter and granddaughter of witches famed for their style and criminal acumen, she knows that her gift brings new life to her family's aging criminal enterprises. She is surprised when her beloved aunt insists on keeping her new power a secret; being a witch for a gang, it turns out, is more dangerous than glamorous, and rival operations have been watching, waiting to see if Glory's power would develop. The two teens are brought together by political intrigue after an incident of witchcraft-based terrorism and a race to stop anti-witch zealots within the government. A well-done, fast-paced read that will appeal to both paranormal fans and thrill-seeking readers.-Caroline Tesauro, Radford Public Library, VA

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