Isle of Blood and Stone

February 15, 2018
Mysterious maps from opposite ends of the sea cast doubt on the whereabouts of two princes, long presumed dead.Nineteen-year-old Lord Elias, whose father, Lord Antoni, was the Royal Navigator of the kingdom of St. John del Mar, is summoned by the king, his dear friend Ulises, to examine two recently created maps that have just been discovered. They bear no identifying cartouches and yet they have unmistakably been painted by his late father. Even stranger, they hint that not only Lord Antoni, but also the rightful heirs to the throne are still alive. Eighteen years ago, Elias' father disappeared and the royal princes were kidnapped by the neighboring kingdom of Mondrago. Eager to find Lord Antoni and the king's brothers, Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes, Ulises' beautiful and capable cousin, chase clues gleaned from the parchments, traveling to distant lands through serpent-infested waters only to suspect that the biggest threat to their kingdom lies within their own castle walls. Elias has long, wavy, sun-lightened brown hair, while Mercedes, half Mondragan, half del Marian, struggles with the disdain of her countrymen; she has black hair and golden skin, however her green eyes and freckles are a sign of her Mondragan ancestry.A romantic maritime epic and a charming tribute to mapmakers, calligraphers, and explorers. (Fantasy. 12-15)

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Starred review from March 5, 2018
In this lush historical fantasy set in a world reminiscent of the Renaissance-era Mediterranean, the discovery of a mysterious map triggers a search for the truth behind the tragic events of decades past. Young King Ulises of the island nation of St. John of del Mar only ascended the throne because his older brothers were kidnapped by agents of a neighboring nation 18 years earlier, and are presumed dead. Then several maps surface that appear to be the work of the supposedly long-dead royal navigator Lord Antoni, suggesting that he and the lost princes might still be alive after all. Antoni’s son Elias and Ulises’s cousin Mercedes set out to solve a riddle related to the maps that could change del Mar forever, only to encounter dangers both real and supernatural. Combining rich descriptions with a compelling mystery, Lucier (A Death-Struck Year) creates a vibrant world populated by appealing characters and enhances the story with subtle magical elements, a hint of romance, and a dose of political intrigue. The unusual inclusion of cartography as a plot device further distinguishes this satisfying adventure. Readers will cheer for the gender role–defying female characters and the bromance between Elias and Ulises. Ages 12–up. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media.

March 1, 2018

Gr 9 Up-At 19, Elias is a talented and adventurous royal mapmaker for the powerful island nation of St. John del Mar, traveling the world in search of new lands to fill his maps. When he returns to his home city hoping to prepare for his next journey, he instead becomes entangled in a mystery spanning 18 years. Two cryptic maps may contain the clues to find the missing princes of del Mar, as well as Elias' father, once the Royal Navigator of the land. Joined by the young king, Ulises, and the inscrutable diplomat, Lady Mercedes, Elias uses his considerable skills and a bit of luck to unwind the tragic story hidden in the maps. Although this young adult fantasy's pages are graced with ghosts and sea-serpents, the real joy in this novel exists in the intrigue that sweeps readers along. Teens will be drawn to Elias and Mercedes's slow-burning romance-thankfully unhindered by an awkward third party-but plagued by ignorant and misplaced nationalist prejudice among the people of del Mar. St. John del Mar is a diverse nation, populated by a well-rounded cast of secondary characters who help or secretly hinder Elias's quest for truth. Above all, Lucier has crafted an exciting plot of attempted murder and betrayal that simmers just below the surface, right up to the breathtaking twist in the final pages. VERDICT Highly recommended where Tamora Pierce, V.E. Schwab, and Rachel Hartman are popular.-Ashley Fetterolf, Indian Creek Upper School, Crownsville, MD

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 15, 2018
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* Readers craving a captivating adventure will find that and more in Lucier's brilliant fantasy. In St. John del Mar, the royal mapmaker disappears on the same day as the kingdom's two young princes. Eighteen years later, two maps and a mysterious riddle are discovered and believed to be connected to the presumed deaths of del Mar's princes, setting the mapmaker's son Elias on the journey of a lifetime. With the aid of the new king (Elias' longtime friend) and the king's cousin, Elias endeavors to unearth what really happened to the lost princes. Along with the truth come secrets and unknown enemies that threaten both Elias and the future of del Mar. Lucier's novel gifts readers a lush fantasy rife with adventure, slow-burning romance, mysteries, intrigue, and action. The main characters are vividly drawn and pop off the page, while even the secondary characters are masterfully and believably rendered. The world building is smart and staggering, and the plot excels at being fast-paced without sacrificing the depth of the characters or story. Family, duty, love, secrets, lies, betrayal, and exposed truths are all subjects explored by Lucier. This is the perfect book for any reader who loves the open seas, a good secret, a haunting mystery, and a dangerous yet breathtaking adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
In the island kingdom of St. John del Mar, rebellious mapmaker's son Elias is summoned by the king to look into two maps' origins, which may provide answers about the king's long-missing brothers. Eerie supernaturalism and dreadful disease both play roles, and Elias's initial defiance is contrasted neatly with companion (and love interest) Mercedes's battered reserve. Deftly employing suspense, this original fantasy drops hints with masterful precision.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2018
In the island kingdom of St. John del Mar, a picnic goes horribly wrong when the wine is poisoned, the guards are slain, and two heirs to the throne vanish, along with their tutor Lord Antoni, the Royal Navigator and mapmaker. Eighteen years later, the mapmaker's rebellious son Elias, a mapmaker himself, is summoned by the king to examine a pair of maps. Both are in Lord Antoni's hand, and at least one contains details of changes more recent than his disappearance, raising the possibility that Elias's father is alive. Although worried about the effect on his beloved new blended family, Elias reluctantly agrees to look into the maps' origins, hoping to provide the king with answers about what became of his two older brothers. Elias is assisted in his quest by the king's cousin Mercedes, with whom he falls swiftly in love. The rich history and culture of del Mar is delicately but surely sketched, with eerie supernaturalism and dreadful disease both playing roles, and Elias's initial defiance is contrasted neatly with Mercedes's battered reserve. Deftly employing suspense and mystery, bolstered by tantalizing details about strange beasts and geographical fascinations, this original fantasy drops hints with masterful precision, tracing clues left in the maps to a startling conclusion. anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)