Latchkey

Starred review from June 15, 2018
Near-future science-fiction crimes bleed into dystopian horror centuries later in a wildly imaginative genre-hybrid sequel to Archivist Wasp (2015).For three years, Isabel (ex-Archivist and no longer going by "Wasp") and the former shrine girls have gradually created a home; now savage invaders force them to fight to defend it. While hiding refugees in tunnels buried since the Before, Isabel again encounters the ghosts of a nameless, long-dead supersoldier and his partner. Instead of passing peacefully on to the afterlife, the ghosts are seeking their lost memories of the Latchkey Project that engineered them, secrets that could guarantee Isabel's future...or destroy it. Less mythic in tone and more conventional in structure than the first, this title nonetheless delivers gripping action while deepening mysteries in restrained prose studded with flashes of vulgar brutality and startling poetry. Isabel's post-apocalyptic world, with all its graphic violence and cruelty, still exhibits solidarity, tenderness, and joy. Allusions to names of varying ethnicities and a range of skin tones indicate an unobtrusive diversity. The emotional core of the story resides in the magnificently understated relationship between damaged, heartsick Isabel and the arrogant yet oddly fragile ghost, a kinship forged from their shared raw courage, ferocious loyalty, and bone-deep integrity, punctuated by an uncertain, heart-piercing vulnerability. Although this narrative provides satisfying closure, readers will hope for more about these unlikely allies.Excruciating, cathartic, and triumphant. (Science fiction/horror. 12-adult)

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Starred review from September 1, 2018

Gr 7-10-Archivist Wasp fans, prepare to be delighted. This follow-up finds Isabel three years later, living in relative peace, until a neighboring city's army begins advancing. Tasked with sheltering (or killing, if it comes to that) the town's children in an underground tunnel maze, Isabel encounters her old friends-ghosts, relics of the Before-Time. The ghosts act as intermediaries, helping her navigate and decipher the rules of the underground, as well as protecting her. Isabel and her friends face danger from the invaders and the ghosts, and Isabel must uncover what happened in the Before-Time to release these latchkey ghosts from their purgatory. This dystopian/horror genre mash-up features a far-future postapocalyptic ghost-hunter priestess and the ghost of a near-future genetically enhanced supersoldier. These ghosts have human form, silver blood, and weapons. Kornher-Stace's masterly writing skillfully explains this wildly inventive world throughout. There is no clumsy recap of the previous volume, but references to the first installment blend seamlessly into the narrative. Genre fiction fans who prefer their speculative tales without romance will appreciate this action-packed work. This plot-driven sequel has very little character development outside of Isabel. An open ending leaves room for another series entry, but this also works as a standalone. VERDICT Teens who enjoy reading extended fight scenes and want immersion in an extraordinary world will enjoy Kornher-Stace's second act. A strong choice for speculative fiction shelves-Laura Falli, McNeil High School, Austin, TX

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