Holly Black (The Coldest Girl in Coldtown; the Curse Workers series) makes a triumphant return to the world of the fey in this stand-alone romantic fantasy. In Fairfold, the mystical and mundane coexist, and siblings Hazel and Ben battle the fey ruler the Alderking and his creatures to save their hometown.
Sixteen-year-old Hazel is "running toward trouble, leaving no stone unturned, no boy unkissed, no crush abandoned, and no bad idea unembraced." In exchange for a blessing from the Alderking, Hazel paid with seven years of her life, so she's determined to live fully what's left. Hazel and Ben outgrew their childhoods playing at knighthood. But Fairfold remained full of magic, a town known for a horned fairy prince forever sleeping, enchanted, in a glass coffin. However, when he is mysteriously awakened, the balance between the magic and mortal worlds shifts--endangering the whole town. Hazel and Ben partner with their best friend, Jack, a changeling, to fight the Alderking and the fearsome horned creature at the heart of the forest. Their hero's journey is fraught with danger. Swords are again unsheathed, lives risked and hearts won. Hazel finds out who she really is, maybe always was, and that Jack knows her better than she knows herself.
Black creates richly fleshed-out characters in an immersive world that will draw in readers young and old. She sensitively portrays both gay and straight relationships in an age-appropriate manner. Themes of sexuality and violence push this toward more mature teens. --Jessica Bushore, former public librarian and freelance writer