Nocturna

Format:

Book

Title:

Nocturna

Other title(s):

Nocturna : A faceless thief. A desperate prince. A darkness unleashed.

Author:

Motayne, Maya author

ISBN:

9780062842732

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

New York, NY : Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2019]

Physical Description:

471 pages : map ; 22 cm.

Series title(s):

Forgery of magic ;

Number in series:

BK. 1.

General Note:

Series information from Goodreads.com.

Map on endpages.

"A faceless thief. A desperate prince. A darkness unleashed" -- Front jacket cover.

Summary:

"To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her...and a disguise she shrugs into as easily as others pull on cloaks. As a talented faceshifter, Finn hasn't seen her own face in years, and that's exactly how she likes it. But when she gets caught by a powerful mobster, she's forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan's royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever. After the murder of his older brother, Dezmin, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But he can't help feeling that he will never live up to this brother's legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring Dez back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic. But when Finn's and Alfie's fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power--which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan's fate in their hands, the two must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, though it will mean facing the deepest darknesses in their pasts."--Dust jacket flap.

Subject(s):

Magic -- Juvenile fiction.

Relics -- Juvenile fiction.

Princes -- Juvenile fiction.

Brigands and robbers -- Juvenile fiction.

Shapeshifting -- Fiction.

Genre:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Dallas Public Library	YA Motayne, M. Nocturna	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Newberg Public Library	TEEN MOTAYNE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Salem Main Library	TEEN Motayne, M.	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

The first in a sweeping and epic debut fantasy trilogy--set in a stunning Latinx-inspired world--about a face-changing thief and a risk-taking prince who must team up to defeat a powerful evil they accidentally unleashed. Perfect for fans of Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir.

To Finn Voy, magic is two things: a knife to hold under the chin of anyone who crosses her...and a disguise she shrugs on as easily as others pull on cloaks.

As a talented faceshifter, it's been years since Finn has seen her own face, and that's exactly how she likes it. But when Finn gets caught by a powerful mobster, she's forced into an impossible mission: steal a legendary treasure from Castallan's royal palace or be stripped of her magic forever.

After the murder of his older brother, Prince Alfehr is first in line for the Castallan throne. But Alfie can't help but feel that he will never live up to his brother's legacy. Riddled with grief, Alfie is obsessed with finding a way to bring his brother back, even if it means dabbling in forbidden magic.

But when Finn and Alfie's fates collide, they accidentally unlock a terrible, ancient power--which, if not contained, will devour the world. And with Castallan's fate in their hands, Alfie and Finn must race to vanquish what they have unleashed, even if it means facing the deepest darkness in their pasts.

Reviews (4)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 8 Up-After his brother Dez's murder, Prince Alfehr is poised to become king-something he fears almost as acutely as finding concrete proof that his brother is truly dead. Alfie left Castallan months ago to grieve and, he hopes, to find a way to bring his brother back from the void-even if it means using his bruxo magic to ill ends. Finn is a faceshifter who can change her appearance at will. It's a magical ability that serves her well as a thief. When their paths cross, Alfie and Finn accidentally unleash a dangerous ancient power that could destroy Castallan and the rest of the world. Together they will have to confront their failures and their greatest fears to contain this dark magic before it's too late. Motayne's debut novel is an epic fantasy set in a Latinx-inspired world with a unique magic system where moving shadows can reveal a person's feelings and spells will be immediately recognizable to Spanish speakers. Alternating chapters follow Alfie and Finn, giving nuance to their motivations and bad decisions. Alfie and Finn's relationship, which evolves over the course of the novel from a reluctant alliance to obvious respect and affection, helps fill the void left by world-building that remains thin even with the added dimension of Castallan trying to assert itself in the wake of generations of Englass colonial rule. VERDICT A promising debut with unique magic and two strong protagonists among a varied ensemble cast.-Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

First in a trilogy, Motayne's debut introduces Finn Voy, an orphaned thief who can magically alter her appearance, and Alfehr Reyes, the crown prince of Castallan, who can see and manipulate magical threads that bind the universe. After Alfie catches Finn trying to steal the royal family's vanishing cloak to repay a vicious mob boss, he initially agrees to loan the cloak to her. Then his cousin, Luka, collapses suddenly after consuming poison intended for Alfie. Still reeling from his brother's recent murder during a failed coup, Alfie releases an ancient evil that claims it can heal Luka. When chaos ensues, Alfie modifies his offer: Finn can have the cloak if she helps him stop the dark force from ushering in eternal night. This fantasy set in a Latinx kingdom explores the lasting effects of childhood trauma, the destructive potential of grief, and the redemptive power of love. Some characters lack depth, and murky world building muddies an already complex plot, but the stakes are high, Finn and Alfie's reluctant attraction rings true, and a gratifying conclusion paves the way for book two. Ages 13-up. Agent: Alexandra Machinist and Hillary Jacobson, ICM Partners. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

Crown Prince Alfie has unwittingly unleashed an evil god that must be recaptured before it destroys the kingdom of Castallan.Unable to come to terms with the death of his older brother, Prince Alfie has traveled the world, searching and failing to find magic that will bring Dez back. Back home, uncertain of his fitness to be the new crown prince and still trying to find the elusive magic, he meets Finn, a thief with a rough background, a sassy tongue, and the ability to change her facial features to resemble others'. When his cousin is poisoned, Alfiean inexperienced bruxoimprobably releases a god that has been bound for centuries by the combined magic of the finest bruxos. Will the cousin be saved? Will the kingdom? Unless he is recaptured, the god of darkness, Sombra, will cast darkness over the world and bring about Nocturna. Debut author Motayne has created two likable and well-fleshed-out characters in Alfie and Finn but has failed to do the same for the world upon which the novel rests. Tequila, sangria, flan, and the peso are but crumbs standing in for worldbuilding. Other characters in the novel are as sketchily described as their world.An interesting premise, likable characters, and high adventure carry this novel, but it is difficult to see it becoming a trilogy without a backbone to hold it up. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

Finn Voy is a professional thief and faceshifter: she can look at another person's face and take on their exact features, assuming different identities in a matter of moments. With no family or ties, she roams freely from one city to the next, using her magic to keep herself fed and safe. Prince Alfehr is the reluctant heir to the Castallan throne after his beloved brother is murdered. Finn and Alfie meet at a deadly magical card game and find they can help each other. When Alfie learns there's a chance to bring his brother back to life using forbidden magic, he takes it and disastrously releases an ancient power that can easily destroy the world. What makes Motayne's debut title singular and special is that her kingdom is Latinx, with brown-skinned, curly-haired people and Spanish sprinkled throughout. It's refreshing and wonderful to see a diverse fantasy world reflecting Latinx cultures. Cinematic, plentiful action as well as intriguing protagonists will pull in many a fantasy reader, and the richly detailed world will keep them reading.--Debbie Carton Copyright 2019 Booklist