Hardinge, Frances. Unraveller. Amulet, 01/2023. 432pp. Fiction. GRADES 7 – 12. $19.99. 978-1-4197-5931-4. OUTSTANDING.
In a country with an uneasy truce between the magical and non-magical, there is one sinister crossover: the powerless, filled with rage, are given the ability to curse others. Scruffy fifteen-year-old Kellen is the only one with the ability to pull apart those life destroying spells and restore the victims to some form of humanity. But when he and his friend Nettle are drawn into a dangerous plan to uncover a hidden league of cursers, their adventures become truly perilous. Hardinge’s prose is elegant, economical, precise, and richly imagined. Both the primary and secondary characters have astonishing depth and complexity. The world-building is on a level with Tolkien or J.K. Rowling, allowing readers to suspend disbelief and immerse themselves completely. And yet, the author leaves room for the reader’s imagination to shape the story. It is never made explicit whether Kellen or Nettle have any defined sexual orientation, making this a great choice for readers who welcome fantasy without romance. The skin color of characters is not specified. Review based on an ARC.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired