Review by Booklist Review
In this charming first book in a new series, readers meet Rose and Cora, middle-school-age cousins who have special matchmaking abilities. In Kann's semimagical world, there are humans with special cupid-like gifts called Matchmakers, who must keep their abilities a secret and spend their lives meeting and befriending Kindlings, their assigned humans who need to meet their romantic match. Rose is a bit of a prodigy in this world and receives an invitation to become a fully fledged Matchmaker sooner than usual, along with her shy, less-confident cousin Cora, who has additional rare abilities. In their training, they each receive different assignments based on what would challenge them most, which makes for a nicely considered and nuanced story line. Each chapter alternates between the two girls' perspectives, so the story covers plenty of ground, including new friendships, humbling experiences, first love, and acts of love and sacrifice that are not necessarily romantic. With solid world building and a satisfying ending, this establishes a fun premise that can carry many more books to come.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Two Fledgling Matchmakers seek to level up in a frothy San Francisco--set novel from Kann (The Marvelous). Cousins Rose and Cora Seville, who share twin fathers, may be Matchmakers in training and reside together in a lavish penthouse suite at the family's Hotel Coeur, but they approach their calling very differently. Rose, deemed the "best in their generation" by the Matchmaker Oracle Council, is confident with her magic, while Cora, who lives with Rose's family, thinks less of herself by comparison and fears being left behind. When the Council accelerates the girls' training, allowing them to take their Matchmaking exam early if they each complete two assignments solo, the opportunity comes with high stakes: fail one challenge, and they'll have to wait an extra year to test; fail two, and they'll be stripped of their magic. Cora tries to distinguish herself by chairing a dance-planning committee, but a sweet, resultant crush reaches a crossroads around one of her assignments. Featuring a dual emotional arc and a magical system based around themes of authentic connection and compatibility, this buoyant, romantic fantasy holds the hope of two magical Black girls who remain optimistic about love. Ages 10--up. (Jan.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two girls use their magical abilities to help others form bonds of love. Rose and Cora Seville are 12-year-old cousins whose fathers are twins. They are also Matchmakers who have magical powers that allow them to forge love connections between people. As Fledglings--young Matchmakers-in-training--Rose and Cora practice their skills under the supervision of their guardians. One day, they learn they've been selected to take exams that would allow them to graduate to a higher Matchmaker level. However, they must do these challenges without their guardians' help. Rose, always confident and with an intuitive access to her magic, is excited about this opportunity. Cora, used to being in her cousin's shadow and more challenged by tapping into her magic, is filled with doubt. They have two chances to pass: If they fail, they could have their magic taken away. On top of that, the challenges are set up to intentionally test their individual weaknesses. Will Rose and Cora overcome their obstacles and pass their tests, or will these trials prove to be too much, too soon? Kann takes readers into an exciting magical world that explores themes that feel connected to real life; they will be drawn into Rose's and Cora's lives and find themselves rooting for both girls. The cousins are Black; Rose's mother is White. A fresh take on middle-grade magic. (Fantasy. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
