A hundred vicious turns

Gr 9 Up--When Rat is accepted into Bellamy Arts, a premiere magical university, it's to be expected as heir to an arcane bloodline. Bellamy might not seem like the best place to hide--especially since Rat refuses to do magic--but surrounded by other casters, they are hoping to simply disappear. There is nothing they can do about the doors no one else can see, or about the broken tower that keeps calling to them, but if they can keep from casting, maybe the knight who's stalked them through the doors will turn to more interesting prey. When their ex-friend Harker Blakely turns up on campus, too, Rat realizes that they can't run from their past--or what's beyond the doors--and will have to find answers. Unfortunately, O'Brien leans too heavily on expositional backstory to set up the plot, leading to murky stakes and a circling first half as Rat, and readers, get settled at school with a new group of friends. Rat is nonbinary, and Harker is a trans man, and their friends-enemies-lovers relationship arc is a high point in the novel where many aspects of the plot fall flat. The cast is diverse in race, body type, and orientation. VERDICT Trans fantasy novels are still a rare occurrence on YA shelves, and this novel will appeal to readers who prefer slower stories. A secondary purchase.--Emmy Neal

In this duology opener, a student at a magical university is hounded by a knight who can transform into a raven. Rat Evans' magic has always let them see dead passages--mystical paths and shortcuts leading to strange places--like the tower where they encountered a knight who wants to keep them with her. After Rat, who is trans and nonbinary, and their friend Harker Blakely, who is a trans boy, have a harrowing encounter with the knight, Rat vows not to use their powers again. Now Harker isn't speaking to them. Rat comes from one of the oldest arcane bloodlines in the eastern U.S., and their mom has kept them safely at home since the incident--but now they are off to attend Bellamy Arts. All Rat wants is to coast by on the non-casting course, but when they see Harker on campus and realize the knight hasn't given up her pursuit, their plans change. Rat joins forces with Harker and new friends Jinx and Agatha to uncover a long-buried campus secret and discover what the knight is after. Fascinating lore and an intriguing magic system combine to create a world readers will love exploring. The fey-like knight lends a looming sense of dread to every omen of her presence, building to a crescendo before her inhuman figure ever appears on page. Rat and Harker are cued white; supporting cast members are diverse in race, sexuality, and body type. Dark, thrilling, and fantastical. (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.