Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

What happens to heroes after they save the world?Sloane Andrews, Matthew Weekes, Esther Park, Albert Summers, and Ines Mejia fulfilled a prophecy by defeating an evil villain and saving the human race. But that was a decade ago. Now, they're no longer teenagers, and enough time has passed that stand-up comedians are joking about why the murderous sorcerer who destroyed entire towns with magical "Drains" akin to natural disasters was called the "Dark One." The magic he wielded with such deadly force is now the subject of dry academic writing. These days the five "chosen ones" are huge celebrities, but they still have to deal with realistic mundanities like making a living and caring for sick parents. Sloane in particular is struggling with PTSD and, after a few Freedom of Information Act requests, is reading about a more complicated side of the government official who helped train them as kids to fight the Dark One. Not long after a big celebration marking the 10-year anniversary of the Dark One's death, Albert dies of an overdose. When Sloane, Matthew, and Esther gather together for his funeral, something unimaginable happens. As it turns out, the Dark One may not be gone after all, and everything they thought they knew about magic, the Dark One, and the prophecy that predicted his demise is wrong. Roth (The End and Other Beginnings: Stories From the Future, 2019, etc.) made her name by writing bestselling YA action/adventure novels like the Divergent series, so it makes sense that she can so expertly deconstruct those tropes for adult audiences. There's a lot of magic and action to make for a propulsive plot, but much more impressive are the character studies as Roth takes recognizable and beloved teen-hero types and explores what might happen to them as adults.Roth makes a bold entrance to adult fantasy.

ALA Booklist

When Sloane Andrews and her friends defeated the Dark One, they thought the nightmare was over. But 10 years later, they are all still dealing with the trauma. Esther channels her anxiety into a quest for Instagram approval. Albie is fighting addiction. Matthew, their leader, is unwilling to see just how miserable everyone else is, especially girlfriend Sloane. And though the Dark One is well and truly vanquished, strange happenings around the globe trigger questions about whether his deranged followers were able to bring his dark magic back. Then, at Albie's funeral, something happens that throws Sloane, Esther, and Matthew into a world that turns everything they thought they understood about the Dark One and magic upside down. Roth's first novel for adults (after the wildly popular Divergent series for teens) is driven by Sloane, a stubbornly unlikable heroine who wears her troubles on her sleeve but doesn't truly understand her full power until the shocking ending. Those who like twisty power plays and very detailed worldbuilding will appreciate this.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The many fans of Roth's YA series will be clamoring for her adult debut, which features magic, lots of sarcasm, and a hint of romance.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

What happens to heroes after they save the world?Sloane Andrews, Matthew Weekes, Esther Park, Albert Summers, and Ines Mejia fulfilled a prophecy by defeating an evil villain and saving the human race. But that was a decade ago. Now, they're no longer teenagers, and enough time has passed that stand-up comedians are joking about why the murderous sorcerer who destroyed entire towns with magical "Drains" akin to natural disasters was called the "Dark One." The magic he wielded with such deadly force is now the subject of dry academic writing. These days the five "chosen ones" are huge celebrities, but they still have to deal with realistic mundanities like making a living and caring for sick parents. Sloane in particular is struggling with PTSD and, after a few Freedom of Information Act requests, is reading about a more complicated side of the government official who helped train them as kids to fight the Dark One. Not long after a big celebration marking the 10-year anniversary of the Dark One's death, Albert dies of an overdose. When Sloane, Matthew, and Esther gather together for his funeral, something unimaginable happens. As it turns out, the Dark One may not be gone after all, and everything they thought they knew about magic, the Dark One, and the prophecy that predicted his demise is wrong. Roth (The End and Other Beginnings: Stories From the Future, 2019, etc.) made her name by writing bestselling YA action/adventure novels like the Divergent series, so it makes sense that she can so expertly deconstruct those tropes for adult audiences. There's a lot of magic and action to make for a propulsive plot, but much more impressive are the character studies as Roth takes recognizable and beloved teen-hero types and explores what might happen to them as adults.Roth makes a bold entrance to adult fantasy.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Roth-s successful adult debut (following the bestselling YA Divergent series) puts the popular trope of the teenage -chosen one- under the microscope and delves into both the societal impacts of young shoulders carrying the weight of saving the world and the psychological strains of such a responsibility. Fifteen years ago, Sloan Andrews was one of the five -Chosen Ones- selected by prophecy to defeat the Dark One, a powerful evil that killed thousands of people. Navigating adult life after the defeat of the Dark One has been a struggle. Sloan is dogged by the media, plagued by PTSD, and encouraged to just get over it by her fellow Chosen One boyfriend. On the 10th anniversary of the Dark One-s defeat, one of the five Chosen Ones dies, leading to revelations about the evil they thought they-d defeated and forcing Sloan to face secrets from her past. The inclusion of news reports and government documents initially slow the pace, though they help build a complex fantastical world. Roth handles heavy topics, including mental health and racism, with great care, and once the story picks up, readers will be delighted by both the magical adventure and the diverse cast. This is a thoughtful, well-crafted twist on a genre staple. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary. (Apr.)