CANR
WORK TITLE: The Last Magician
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S): Dunick, Lisa
BIRTHDATE: 1979
SITE: http://www.lisa-maxwell.com/
CITY: Fairfax
STATE: VA
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME: CA 375
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born 1979; married; children: two sons.
EDUCATION:Holds a Ph.D.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, novelist, and educator. Teaches English at a local college.
WRITINGS
Contributor to the Fall Fourteeners blog.
SIDELIGHTS
Lisa Maxwell, the pseudonym of Lisa Dunick, grew up in northeast Ohio loving to read. Her passion for reading eventually led her to give up the idea of becoming a lawyer and to major in English instead. Maxwell eventually turned her attention to writing for teenagers. “I’m not one of those ‘always wanted to be a writer’ types,” Maxwell noted in an interview with Kate Ormand for the Kate Ormand Blog, adding: “I didn’t really start writing creatively until 2010, when we moved to Birmingham [Alabama] for my husband’s job and I was basically unemployed and bored.”
As for writing for teens, Maxwell noted in another interview, for A Book and a Latte Website: “I really love the freedom of YA.” She went on in the interview to comment that the teen years are a time of freedom before the worries that come with adulthood really begin. “The teen years are this really magical and wonderful (and often awful) place between … childhood and adulthood, between independence and dependence, between who you think you want to be and who you are really going to become,” Maxwell noted in the same interview.
Maxwell’s first young adult novel, titled Sweet Unrest, is about a girl with strange dreams, including one about a nineteenth-century boy who suddenly appears in her real life. “I was trying to write straight romance … and then people started dying,” Maxwell said in the interview with Ormand. Maxwell went on to note that she wanted to write a story “that involved a magical element.” Maxwell eventually settled on a tale that revolved around voodoo. “You really can’t write about Voodoo without the story being intertwined with issues of race and culture and power,” Maxwell told Ormand.
Sweet Unrest tells the story of Lucy Aimes, a young girl living in Chicago who keeps having dreams about drowning. When her family moves to a plantation museum near New Orleans after her history professor father gets a job as the plantation’s director, Lucy’s dreams become even more intense. Meanwhile, Lucy meets Chloe, who believes in voodoo. In addition, Chloe knows Mama Legba, who she says is a voodoo queen. Although Lucy is skeptical about voodoo, once she meets Mama Legba she begins to have second thoughts.
Then Lucy meets a mysterious young man named Alexandre, who has a French accent and seems to talk as though he is from a different era. Following the meeting, Lucy also starts dreaming about Alexandre and a girl named Armantine, who appear to be living in the nineteenth century. Furthermore, Armantine looks just like Lucy. “Bouncing between dreams and reality, past and present, Lucy gets swept up in voodoo, human sacrifices and two romances,” wrote a Kirkus Reviews contributor.
Lucy struggles to make sense of her dreams and Alexandre, who seems to be hiding something. Lucy’s life becomes even more complicated when a murder occurs nearby. Lucy suspects that the people she loves are in real danger because of an old vendetta. As the danger becomes more tangible, Lucy is convinced that she first has to solve the secret of her dreams before disaster strikes.
“The author weaves mysticism and romance seamlessly throughout Lucy’s highly visual narration,” wrote Marla Unruh in the Voice of Youth Advocates. Calling Maxwell “a talented wordsmith,” a Publishers Weekly contributor went on to remark: “The sweet ache of lost-and-found love will appeal to many readers.” A Geek Girl Project Website contributor commented on the two stories, one past and one present, noting that in the reviewer’s estimation Maxwell handled the historical story best. “The historical fiction aspects of the novel were … rich and full of tragedy and human interest,” wrote the Geek Girl Project contributor.
With the young adult novel Unhooked, Maxwell updates and reimagines the story of Peter Pan. The story follows Gwen, who is worried about applying for college, and about her mother’s seemingly crazy beliefs. Gwen’s mother believes that strange supernatural forces are coming to get them, and she insists that she and Gwen move to London to escape. As Gwen adjusts to her new home, her friend Olivia comes for a visit. Then Gwen and Olivia are kidnapped by the very supernatural forces Gwen’s mother feared. Gwen and Olivia are separated, and Gwen finds she is on a pirate ship with Captain Hook and Peter Pan. Pan then rescues Gwen from Hook and takes her to Neverland, but Pan may be as dangerous as Hook. Gwen finds herself at the center of a love triangle between the two, and she doesn’t know which one she can trust. When Gwen and Olivia are reunited, Gwen realizes that Olivia has changed; she has no one left to rely on.
As Jane Van Wiemokly stated in Voice of Youth Advocates: “Magic and fairies, sea hags and dark flying creatures, all combine to tell a beautifully written, dark retelling of . . . Peter Pan.” An Eater of Books Website correspondent was also impressed, asserting that “the climax of this book had me biting my nails! I had NO idea what would happen at the end of the book, especially given the amount of foreshadowing that the author set in place about one particular aspect of the book. HOWEVER. I am pleased to say that I loved the ending. It was perfect – especially the epilogue!” The correspondent went on to conclude: “I so recommend this book! Readers of any genre in YA would love it! Pirates! Roguish captain! Insane storybook world that is trying to kill everyone! Hidden talents! Swoon swoon swoony romance! And it’s a standalone and ends so well – this book made me smile so much.”
Maxwell begins a proposed series with The Last Magician, a fantasy tale set in a magical version of New York. The magical Mageus have been imprisoned in the city by the Order, and the Order is using a magical force field called the Brink to do so. A young Mageus named Esta survives by stealing what she needs. She also plans to use her skills to defeat the Order. If she can travel into the past and steal the Ars Arcana, which holds the spells needed to build and maintain the Brink, she can stop the Order and save her people. Her mission sends her to the 1900s, where Esta will meet and fall for a man who also has designs on the Ars Arcana.
A Publishers Weekly critic stated that the novel is not without flaws, but it “provides a solid introduction into her new world.” Deborah Krieger, writing on the Young Folks Website, also offered pros and cons, and she remarked: “The lack of ending in The Last Magician is a shame, because it pretty much dampens my enthusiasm for what was otherwise a pretty charming and well-paced novel. While it did take me a few chapters to get fully hooked on the story and become invested in the characters, once the story falls into its rhythm and establishes the stakes, I couldn’t put it down.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, October 15, 2014, Stacey Comfort, review of Sweet Unrest, p. 56.
Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2014, review of Sweet Unrest; August 1, 2015, review of Gathering Deep.
Publishers Weekly, September 22, 2014, review of Sweet Unrest, p. 68; May 8, 2017, review of The Last Magician.
School Library Journal, August, 2014, Amanda C. Buschmann, review of Sweet Unrest, p. 103.
Voice of Youth Advocates, October, 2014, Marla Unruh, review of Sweet Unrest, p. 87; April, 2016, Jane Van Wiemokly, review of Unhooked.
ONLINE
Bittersweet Enchantment, http://www.bittersweet-enchantment.com/ (October 27, 2014), “Blog Tour & Book Review: Sweet Unrest by Lisa Maxwell + Giveaway!”
Book and a Latte, http://bookandlatte.com/ (October 6, 2014), “Q&A with Lisa Maxwell.”
Eater of Books, http://eaterofbooks.blogspot.my/ (September 13, 2017), review of Unhooked.
Geek Girl Project, http://www.thegeekgirlproject.com/ (November 6, 2014), Nicole Ciacchella, review of Sweet Unrest.
Kate Ormand Blog, https://kateormand.wordpress.com/ (September 15, 2014), Kate Ormand, “Interview: Lisa Maxwell, Author of Sweet Unrest.
Lisa Maxwell Website, http://www.lisa-maxwell.com (September 13, 2017).
Writer, Writer Pants on Fire, http://writerwriterpantsonfire.blogspot.com/ (August 20, 2013), Mindy McGinnis, “2014 Debut Lisa Maxwell Talks Submission Process.”
Young Folks, https://www.theyoungfolks.com/ (September 13, 2017), review of Deborah Krieger, review of The Last Magician.*
The Shorter Version:
Cameron Whitman Photography
Cameron Whitman Photography
Lisa Maxwell is the New York Times Best-Selling author of The Last Magician. Her other critically acclaimed books include Sweet Unrest, Gathering Deep, and Unhooked. She has a PhD in English, and when she's not writing books, she's an English professor at a local college. She grew up in Akron, OH, and has lived in lots of other places: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Alabama, and even a short stint in Italy. Currently makes her home near DC with her very patient husband and two not-so patient boys.
The Longer Version:
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, I spent the summers reading everything I could get my hands on. My mom often told me to put down the books and go play. I rarely listened.
I liked books so much that I decided to give up the rather sensible idea that I should be a lawyer and decided instead to get a not-so-sensible degree in English.
Then I decided that there couldn't be anything better than reading books for a living and forcing other people to talk about them with me. So I got another English degree...and another one.
What can I say? I make awesome life choices.
More years than I want to admit later, my family moved to Birmingham, Alabama for my husband's job. I had two small kids, no local friends, and no full-time job of my own, so I decided to try my hand at writing fiction to fill the hours. I don't think anyone was more surprised than me to discover that I loved it. Maybe even more than just reading books for a living. Go figure.
I no longer live in Alabama, and I currently teach full-time at a local college, but I'm still writing fiction for teens. I like my stories dark and magical with a splash of romance.
After moving from Ohio to Pennsylvania to Illinois to Alabama (with a short stint in Italy thrown in for good measure), I now live with my family in the DC Metro area. I plan to stay indefinitely.
I'm represented by Kathleen Rushall at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Feb 15, 2016
GET UNHOOKED WITH LISA MAXWELL
Ahoy, mateys! Lisa Maxwell is on the blog today to tell you all about her novel Unhooked (and there's a little giveaway, if that floats your boat). This Peter Pan retelling is all about a darker, more monstrous side of Neverland, which is positively and wondrously wicked. But never fear: Unhooked still features a bunch of characters you know and love and can't help but hate...they just may be acting a little different. All the details are below, but I can give you a heads up: you're going to want this book (I know I do).
Rachel: Lisa, Lisa, Lisa. Your latest novel is one of my favorite things ever: a Peter Pan retelling. What prompted you to write such a marvelous thing?
Lisa: The not-at-all-intellectual answer is that I wanted to write a sexy pirate boy. Once I decided on that, I started looking for ways to do that without writing a historical, and I came up with the idea of reworking Captain Hook.
Rachel: Now, I’m gathering that Unhooked is a version of Peter Pan that’s pretty twisted and dark (which is delicious, if you ask me). I believe there are MONSTERS (which I love), and to deviate from the typical story, you have a Gwendolyn instead of a Wendy. DO TELL.
Lisa: Well, Wendy is a derivative of the name Gwendolyn, so I *kind* of have a Wendy. And there are definitely monsters—of many different varieties—but there were lots of monsters in the original Peter Pan, too. I think the difference is that the Hollywood and Disney versions of Peter Pan strip away a lot of the original story’s darkness, and I wanted to bring some of that back.
Rachel: But you still have that blasted Peter Pan and codfish Captain Hook, right?
Lisa: I do! Though I wouldn’t call him Peter…it’s a bit too human for his tastes. And Captain Hook is definitely not a codfish this time. He doesn’t even have a hook. *cough* magical mechanical arm *cough*
Rachel: Let’s talk more about this darker version of Neverland. The synopsis mentions “shadowy creatures” and “flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey” (insert heart eyes here). I’m going to guess that pirates with fabulous hair and hooks for hands are the least of this Neverland’s problems.
Lisa: Pretty much everything in Neverland would eat you if it could. So yeah, fabulous hair is way down there on the list. Though come to think of it, my Captain does always have his hair perfectly in place…
Rachel: The synopsis also just happens to mention another one of my favorite things ever (in other words, Unhooked is winning): “Here [in Neverland], good and evil lose their meaning.” Basically, it’s that whole “who is the monster and who is the man?” concept that I’m utterly obsessed with. How much faith, trust, and pixie dust will be required when reading Unhooked?
Lisa: Faith—only in yourself. Trust—I wouldn’t trust any of these characters. And pixie dust? Well, see the earlier question where I said the monsters probably would try to eat you. Tinker Bell is no wee small thing in this story (and she’d probably attack you for calling her Tinker Bell, come to think of it). But the story plays a lot with the line between good and evil, and Gwen has to really make some hard choices and decide which lines she’s willing to cross in order to make it out…or not.
Rachel: I know Peter Pan stories tend to have a focus on the characters—Pan, Hook, Wendy, Tiger Lily, Tink, the Crocodile, etc.—but I also think that Neverland could be a character in and of itself. And I think it’s interesting to see the different ways this otherworldly land works and how it functions. What’s your Neverland like?
Lisa: My Neverland is an island in a Fey world in the middle of a never-ending sea. No matter which direction you sail, you always come back to it. The island itself is constantly in flux—it moves and changes; land masses rearrange themselves and the flora morphs every so often. It’s gorgeous and magical, but it’s also dangerous and terrible at times.
Rachel: My favorite Peter Pan character depends on which version I’m reading or watching. I’ve loved and hated Pan and Hook, I’ve shipped Tiger Lily with Pan and Hook, and I’ve hated Wendy. Who’s your favorite?
Lisa: I mean, growing up it was Peter, but in this version I really love the Captain. He was always the heart and center of the story for me—everything kind of built itself around him and his backstory.
Rachel: Favorite movie or show retelling Peter Pan?
Lisa: Hook.
Rachel: Favorite book retelling Peter Pan?
Lisa: You know, I haven’t let myself read any. Once I decided to do a retelling of Peter Pan, I was afraid of lifting ideas and things, so I stayed far away. I really need to get on that, because I’ve heard amazing things about Tiger Lily and Never Never
Rachel: Let’s go back to faith, trust, and pixie dust. This tends to be the motto for most Neverlands, but I get the feeling that yours is a little different. What would the motto be for your Neverland in Unhooked?
Lisa: There’s nothing more dangerous than a story. ;O)
Thanks so much for having me!!
Maxwell, Lisa. The Last Magician
Johanna Nation-Valle
40.3 (Aug. 2017): p74.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
3Q * 3P * J * S
Maxwell, Lisa. The Last Magician. Simon Pulse, 2017. 512p. $18.99. 978-1-4814-3207-8.
Time is running out for the Mageus in an alternate universe New York City. Fearful of their innate magical abilities, the Order has trapped them in the city using the Brink, an energy field that can prove fatal to those who attempt to cross it. To save the Mageus, trained thief Esta must travel back to 1902 to steal the Ars Arcana, a magical book used by the Order to create the Brink. Using her time-bending affinity and thieving skills to navigate New York's early twentieth-century underworld, Esta joins a gang of Mageus intent on weakening the Order and stealing the book. The catch is that she must reach the book before the Magician to prevent him from destroying it.
The Last Magician is a slow starter. Central to the story is a heist which, rather than providing readers with page-turning suspense, is heavily diluted by exposition, worldbuilding, and the interweaving of a large cast of complex characters. The motivations of these characters seem scattered and unfocused. The one thing they agree upon is stealing the book, although everyone has a different plan for using, or destroying, it. The obviously thoroughly researched setting of 1901 New York is compelling and will interest fans of historical fiction. While readers looking for fast-paced action will be disappointed as Maxwell takes her time setting up this complicated series opener, avid readers of fantasy and alternate universe fiction will likely enjoy the rich world and complex cast.--Johanna Nation-Vallee.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Nation-Valle, Johanna. "Maxwell, Lisa. The Last Magician." Voice of Youth Advocates, Aug. 2017, p. 74+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA502000864&it=r&asid=224d3080f2916eba18116a46e170779c. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A502000864
The Last Magician
264.19 (May 8, 2017): p63.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
The Last Magician
Lisa Maxwell. Simon Pulse, $18.99 (512p)
ISBN 978-1-4814-3207-8
Maxwell (Unhooked) introduces an alternate version of present-day New York City where those with magical talents, known as Mageus, are trapped in the city by a magic-stealing barrier called the Brink; the barrier was created by the Order, an organization bent on getting rid of the Mageus, Esta, a Mageus with some control over time, has been trained in the art of thievery since she was a child. Her mission: return to a New York City of the past and steal the Ars Arcana, the book responsible for the creation of the Brink. With painstaking worldbuilding, Maxwell captures the danger and grittiness of New York City in the early 1900s as Esta navigates poverty, deception, and desperation to complete her mission while battling her growing attraction to the man who also means to steal the book. The pace is somewhat slow, and Maxwell leans on a few too many cliches--including a hulking black character with medicine man-like healing powers and an Chinese assassin who relies on stealth--but altogether she provides a solid introduction into her new world. Ages 14--up. Agent: Kathleen Rushall, Andrea Brown Literary. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Last Magician." Publishers Weekly, 8 May 2017, p. 63. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA491949167&it=r&asid=68d243b8892eb8d8f124d265dd9f0c92. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491949167
Maxwell, Lisa: THE LAST MAGICIAN
(May 1, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Maxwell, Lisa THE LAST MAGICIAN Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster (Children's Fiction) $18.99 7, 18 ISBN: 978-1-4814-3207-8
Gangs, immigrants, and the rich keeping the poor down, with a twist. In an alternate New York, magic is wielded by the Mageus, whose innate affinities vary widely, and the Order, who disdain but use magic in rituals that limit the Mageus' freedom. For centuries, Mageus have entered but cannot leave Manhattan thanks to the Brink, a magical barrier surrounding the island. Esta's affinity involves manipulating time, and the professor who raised her has sent her from the present day to 1901 to stop the destruction of a book that could potentially destroy the Brink. Shifting third-person perspective follows Esta into the past as she infiltrates Dolph Saunders' gang and becomes involved with Harte Darrigan, the handsome magician who destroyed the book. Crisp pacing and plenty of details tell the story of engaging, if selfish, characters in their late teens and early 20s working at cross purposes for big reasons. The past is slightly romanticized but largely realistic: the Mageus function as a stand-in for any immigrant group subject to prejudice, and Esta's contemporary attitudes shine a light on outdated attitudes, while through the experiences of Chinese Jianyu (the only nonwhite member of Dolph's gang), some of the racial prejudices of the past are confronted. A doorstopper with a total shakeup of an ending: don't miss this splendid series opener. (map) (Historical fantasy. 12-adult)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Maxwell, Lisa: THE LAST MAGICIAN." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2017. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA491002808&it=r&asid=e6b157982926dfc95848c5835cd91364. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491002808
Maxwell, Lisa. Unhooked
Jane Van Wiemokly
39.1 (Apr. 2016): p76.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
4Q * 4P * J * S
Maxwell, Lisa. Unhooked. Simon Pulse, 2016. 352p. $17.99. 978-1-4814-3204-7.
Because Gwendolyn's mother believes that monsters are after them, she and Gwen keep moving from place to place. Their latest move takes them to contemporary London, with Gwen's friend Olivia visiting for the summer. Almost immediately, the two teens are kidnapped by dark horrible creatures, and Gwen realizes that maybe her mother is not crazy after all. When Gwen awakens, she is on a ship captained by Hook and manned by many young boy pirates. Pan, as he prefers to be called, then appears to "rescue" her from Hook and takes her to Neverland, with its mysterious and ever-changing landscape. Here she finds Olivia, whose personality is much changed. Both the handsome young teens claim to want to help her, but who is telling the truth and who is lying? Who is good, and who is evil?
Magic and fairies, sea hags and dark flying creatures, all combine to tell a beautifully written, dark retelling of Barrie's Peter Pan. Things are not always what they seem. Essentially a romance, the book focuses on Gwen figuring out who really deserves her love and trust. While considering her best actions to return home, she discovers her own magical abilities. She soon realizes that she is strong enough to help herself and others. Each chapter is preceded by a short passage about two brothers fighting in WWI, and, eventually, the relationship between these excerpts and the main story is revealed. After reading this sometimes violent and unexpected story, one can never view Peter Pan in the same light. --Jane Van Wiemokly.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Van Wiemokly, Jane. "Maxwell, Lisa. Unhooked." Voice of Youth Advocates, Apr. 2016, p. 76. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA450504947&it=r&asid=f1d69857fcd0d96a3aa42f1b086e4bc5. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A450504947
Unhooked
Stacey Comfort
112.11 (Feb. 1, 2016): p51.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Unhooked. By Lisa Maxwell. Feb. 2016.352p. Simon & Schuster/Simon Pulse, $17.99 (9781481432047). Gr. 9-12.
Once again, Gwen and her eccentric artist mother have moved. For Gwen, it's hard to accept being repeatedly uprooted, especially since its possible that her mother is actually losing her mind. With senior year and college looming ahead, Gwen wants this move to be different, but when she starts seeing and hearing things no one else does, she wonders if her mother might not be crazy after all. When Gwen is kidnapped by dark creatures, she is only slightly relieved to be rescued by a pirate captain with a mechanical arm and a crew of young boys, recognizable as the characters from Peter Pan. The longer she stays in Neverland, however, the less she remembers, and the more fictional characters she meets, the less she believes in the original tale. Maxwell, who first established herself with Sweet Unrest (2014), successfully shifts gears to tackle this adventurous fairy-tale retelling. This new take on the classic isn't the traditional once upon a time, and that alone will hook many readers. --Stacey Comfort
Comfort, Stacey
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Comfort, Stacey. "Unhooked." Booklist, 1 Feb. 2016, p. 51. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA443653381&it=r&asid=12f38196d65900059a4d1c9af96f69bd. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A443653381
Maxwell, Lisa: UNHOOKED
(Jan. 1, 2016):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Maxwell, Lisa UNHOOKED Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster (Children's Fiction) $17.99 2, 2 ISBN: 978-1-4814-3204-7
Hidden powers, parallel worlds--Gwen has a lot on her plate, but there are two teen hunks determined to help her. Maxwell uproots Gwen from contemporary London and drops her in a reworked Neverland with competing teen versions of Peter Pan and Capt. Hook (with an enchanted mechanical arm) and a mercurial, lethal version of Tinkerbell. Excerpts from a separate story precede each chapter; despite its "Once upon a time" opening, this narrative starts on terra firma. Its World War I storyline of two brothers edges ever closer toward the main tale until the stories merge. The first-person, present-tense voice lets Gwen share her confusion during frequent clashes between good and evil, her uncertainty over who is telling the truth and deserves her loyalty, and the "thundering hoofbeats" of her heart as she defies death and the various minions of good and evil. Unsurprisingly, Pan and Hook (also known as the Captain and, eventually, simply Rowan) offer competing love interests. Maxwell shows a talent for describing lush, imaginative settings and epic battles based on layers of deceit and betrayal; inconsistent pirate vernacular is happily ever less frequent as the story progresses. When the truth of Gwen's lineage emerges, readers will wonder that she spends so much time looking for a hero rather than being the heroine. The romance is emphasized in this retelling of Barrie's classic. (Paranormal romance. 14 & up)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Maxwell, Lisa: UNHOOKED." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Jan. 2016. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA438646709&it=r&asid=9fd116d1a4acf309e38e655d2504ff94. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A438646709
Maxwell, Lisa. Gathering Deep
Nancy K. Wallace and Mary Kusluch
38.4 (Oct. 2015): p75.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
4Q * 4P * S * NA
Maxwell, Lisa. Gathering Deep. Flux/ Llewellyn, 2015. 336p. $11.99 Trade pb. 978-0-7387-4542-8.
Chloe Samourin's mother, Thisbe, has been tied to several gruesome murders in New Orleans. Thisbe remains missing, but the symbolic murders continue. Chloe; her boyfriend, Piers; and her friend, Lucy, ask for help from Mama Legba, a woman skilled in voodoo. Chloe begins having strange dreams and visions in which she appears to be reliving Thisbe's life from another century. A picture emerges of a young girl who is terrorized by a cruel and sadistic plantation owner, Roman Dutilette. Lucy's father directs the research team studying Le Ciel Doux, the restored plantation and tourist attraction where Roman once ruled with an iron hand. When Roman's journal turns up, Piers goes to Nashville for help in deciphering it. Piers never arrives, however, and Chloe fears that he, too, is dead at her mother's hand.
Dark, sultry, and atmospheric, this novel yanks the reader inexorably into the story and does not let go. A cast of unique characters drives the narrative with a twisting plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The backdrop of New Orleans brings its own spectacular flavor, color, and ambiance. The journal and Chloe's visions reveal horrifying details about slavery under Roman's rule. Thisbe's quest to kill him three times in over a hundred years in retribution for the sadistic murder of her lover drives her to the point of insanity. She has Chloe simply to become a vessel for her own fading soul, kept alive, by blood sacrifices, in hopes of bringing her murdered lover back from the dead. This novel will find just as many adult fans as teens.--Nancy K. Wallace.
Gathering Deep is a stunningly intricate and fascinating masterpiece. Chloe, her boyfriend Piers, and their trusted circle of friends are all deeply connected to the spirit realm. At the beginning, readers are told that Chloe must make a choice. Only after many mysteries and dangers have been waded through do readers find out what that terrible choice is. This is a wonderful and captivating read. 5Q, 5P.--Mary Kusluch, Teen Reviewer.
Wallace, Nancy K.^Kusluch, Mary
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Wallace, Nancy K., and Mary Kusluch. "Maxwell, Lisa. Gathering Deep." Voice of Youth Advocates, Oct. 2015, p. 75. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA432173025&it=r&asid=1ddf4c6cdc0ed5b81a53ac0b20b3328f. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A432173025
Maxwell, Lisa: GATHERING DEEP
(Aug. 1, 2015):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Maxwell, Lisa GATHERING DEEP Flux (Children's Fiction) $11.99 10, 8 ISBN: 978-0-7387-4542-8
Magical mother-daughter bonds prove tough to sever in this sequel to the Southern gothic Sweet Unrest (2014). Recently possessed Chloe Sabourin is reeling from her unwitting role in the recent murders and dark magic that rocked New Orleans and devastated by the discovery that her mother, Mina, is the witch Thisbe. Chloe fears further manipulation and questions her newfound magical powers but finds allies in her friend Lucy Aimes, mixed-magic practitioner Mama Legba, and Legba's flirtatious nephew, Odane. Less helpful are Chloe's preoccupied boyfriend, Piers, and Odane's icky father, Ikenna, whose warped idea of family ties echoes Thisbe's. Missing her own mother and ignoring Mama's advice, Chloe learns about Thisbe--a former 19th-century slave longing for her lost love, Augustine, and locked in an eternal battle with psychotic slave owner Roman Dutilette--through convenient touch-induced flashbacks and frequent nightmares. Chloe's struggle to separate herself from her mother gains urgency when Chloe must stop Thisbe from summoning Baron Samedi--darkly delightful but vaguely defined as a demon, a Loa, and a trickster psychopomp--and fight her mother in order to save her friends. While the inconsistent use of dialect and magical catchall version of Voodoo prove distracting and insensitive, Maxwell's mixture of past and present, dreams and reality, speech and telepathy is immersive and delirious. Mommy dearest's deal with the devil offers psychological melodrama and ghoulish thrills. (Paranormal suspense. 14-18)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Maxwell, Lisa: GATHERING DEEP." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Aug. 2015. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA423540661&it=r&asid=0d235cdb4fb178cdb35b588a6e4c6337. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A423540661
Maxwell, Lisa. The Last Magician
Brian Hoff
63.6 (June 1, 2017): p110.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
MAXWELL, Lisa. The Last Magician. 512p. S. & S./Simon Pulse. Jul. 2017. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781481432078.
Gr 8 Up--This fantasy chronicles the struggles of the last surviving magicians in a draconian world of gangs and perilous dangers. Esta is a master thief who manipulates time in order to steal artifacts, all in the service of stopping the Magician, who means to kill the remaining Mageus--members of a secret order of magicians. Esta must keep an all-powerful book away from the villain to prevent him from destroying her order. She also needs to avoid "the Brink," a mystical barrier that causes her kind to lose their powers and become trapped. This novel will be quite the undertaking for most readers, as the main character jumps back and forth through time. The narrative is told from different points of view as various arcs come together during the climactic final struggle. Readers may find it hard to follow this long, intricate narrative. Hard-core magic and fantasy devotees might enjoy this ambitious tale, but more casual fans will be better served by the works of Maggie Stiefvater and Cassandra Clare. VERDICT Purchase where high fantasy is in demand.--Brian Hoff, Elmwood Park High School, IL
Hoff, Brian
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Hoff, Brian. "Maxwell, Lisa. The Last Magician." School Library Journal, 1 June 2017, p. 110. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA493916136&it=r&asid=867cd3dfe3e0583645e6551c75b2ca41. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A493916136
Maxwell, Lisa. Unhooked
Nancy Jo Lambert
62.2 (Feb. 2016): p96.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
MAXWELL, Lisa. Unhooked. 352p. ebook available. S. & S./Simon Pulse. Feb. 2016. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781481432061.
Gr 7 Up--In this dark retelling of Peter Pan we meet Gwendolyn Allister, who is moving again, this time to London. Her best friend, Olivia, is coming with them for the summer to help with Gwen's slightly crazy mother, who is trying to keep them away from the monsters. Gwen has never lived anywhere long enough to have a home, and when they settle in their first night in London, they are captured by dark shadowy creatures and taken to Neverland. When Gwen awakens, she finds herself in the presence of Captain Hook on his ship of boy pirates, sea hags, and a Neverland island filled with magic and Fey creatures who are anything but fairylike. Gwen quickly finds a distaste for Hook and is "rescued" by Pan and taken to the magical island that Gwen feels she can connect with. After finding Olivia, Gwen comes to realize that things are not what they seem with Pan and his fortress filled with Lost Boys. Through a series of perilous adventures and battles where countless lives are sacrificed, the teen realizes that she is being used by both sides. She discovers her own magical heritage and Pan and Hook's sinister plot. Readers will be surprised and satisfied with the outcome. Even though the pacing is awkward at times and Gwen tends to get lost in interior monologue throughout, this gruesome retelling will be a hit with teens. VERDICT A general purchase where fractured fairy tales and fairy fantasy is popular.--Nancy Jo Lambert, Reedy High School, Frisco, TX
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Lambert, Nancy Jo. "Maxwell, Lisa. Unhooked." School Library Journal, Feb. 2016, p. 96. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA442780619&it=r&asid=970a3f3977f5c6dfae286db304e4f078. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A442780619
Maxwell, Lisa. Gathering Deep
Amanda C. Buschmann
61.9 (Sept. 2015): p161.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Library Journals, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
MAXWELL, Lisa. Gathering Deep. 360p. ebook available. Flux. Oct. 2015. pap. $11.99. ISBN 9780738745428.
Gr 6 Up--More of a companion novel than a sequel to Sweet Unrest (Flux, 2014), Maxwell's latest focuses on Chloe and Thisbe in this atmospheric fantastical mystery. Reeling from the aftermath of finding out that the evil witch Thisbe is her mother, Chloe becomes determined to sever all ties with Thisbe's dark magic. When her on-off boyfriend, Piers, vanishes on his way to deliver a historical artifact, Chloe knows that Thisbe is behind his disappearance. Enlisting the help of friend Lucy, voodoo queen Mama Legba, and Mama Legba's nephew Odane, the protagonist gathers all her strength in order to conquer Thisbe's nefarious influence. The narrative is peppered with fascinating voodoo rituals and beliefs, heightening the suspense. As with Sweet Unrest, Maxwell's novel excels in its heady, Southern-drenched mood. VERDICT Recommended for fans of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Little, Brown, 2011) and William Ritter's Jackaby (Algonquin, 2014)--Amanda C. Buschmann, Atascocita Middle School, Humble, TX
Buschmann, Amanda C.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Buschmann, Amanda C. "Maxwell, Lisa. Gathering Deep." School Library Journal, Sept. 2015, p. 161. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA427423796&it=r&asid=d1df727dbb853694fcf2ffebc72f33ad. Accessed 6 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A427423796
Book Review: Lisa Maxwell’s “The Last Magician”
DEBORAH KRIEGERSEPTEMBER 4, 2017
Without spoiling too much, I have to begin my review of Lisa Maxwell’s The Last Magician by remarking that it is one of two novels that, upon finishing it, made me promptly want to scream with frustration. The other novel is Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84. What do these two books have in common? Namely, they don’t have endings. Or, rather, the endings they do have go beyond making an artistic statement of leaving the story open-ended, and come off as if the author either tired of the writing process and just stopped before the expected denouement, or realized they had word-built themselves into a corner and didn’t know how to resolve the plot satisfyingly. When I blazed through 1Q84’s thousand-plus pages, eager to see how this complicated, fantastical story would be resolved, I was infuriated by what seemed like the ultimate cop-out. It was as if there were another 200-300 pages of plot actually missing—once the lovers are united, the story just stops.
The same scenario, oddly enough, happens in The Last Magician. We’ve been building to what feels like the ultimate magical showdown between good and evil, but once the lovers reunite and decide that they’re going to take on the Big Bad together, the book literally ends. No epilogue, no hand-wavey acknowledgement of how the Big Bad was defeated, if at all, no bittersweet ending with a noble sacrifice that also defeats the evil (a la A Great and Terrible Beauty); I would honestly have preferred something like Veronica Roth killing Tris in the Divergent series than just leaving the entire story unfinished. I am sure that there are literary reasons to leave a narrative unfinished, but in genre fantasy fiction with clearly delineated rules and world-building and a fairly linear plot (time-traveling shenanigans aside), it honestly feels like cheating the reader. Upon looking online, I’ve found references to a sequel that the author is working on; in that case, a “to be continued” capping off the cliffhanger ending really would have mitigated much of my frustration.
The lack of ending in The Last Magician is a shame, because it pretty much dampens my enthusiasm for what was otherwise a pretty charming and well-paced novel. While it did take me a few chapters to get fully hooked on the story and become invested in the characters, once the story falls into its rhythm and establishes the stakes, I couldn’t put it down. I’ll go through the basic world-building without getting too into the details. Basically, New York City is the site of two warring factions of magic-users: the Mageus, who are born with their magic abilities, and the Order, a sinister society dedicated to harnessing acquired magic and destroying the Mageus. At the turn of the twentieth century, this fight was a part of daily life, with gangs on the streets fighting over territory as well as protecting (or destroying) the Mageus in the city, but in the present day, the Mageus have been forced underground by the Order. Esta, the protagonist, is a Mageus with the ability to travel through time, and is an orphaned master thief. Naturally, she uses her gift to go through time and steal various magical artifacts that her employer and father-figure, Professor Lachlan, needs to defeat the Order and free the Mageus once and for all. After mucking up a time-traveling heist, Esta is given a chance to make things right—she needs to go back to the early 1900s and retrieve a magical book of spells in the possession of the Order that will give the Professor what he needs.
The bulk of the story takes place in this time period, giving Maxwell plenty of opportunities to play with the real-life New York of the Progressive era and imbue it with the magical aspects of the plot, clearly reveling in the idea of turn-of-the-century New York as the fresh melting-pot of immigrant life. The Order is made up of the most elite New Yorkers, including members of the Morgan family, while most Mageus are refugees from European witch hunts, hoping to survive in America. The wrinkle is that once the Mageus arrive in New York City, they’re trapped by a mysterious barrier that, if they cross it, will drain their magic abilities and their life force. The Order wants to use their magic to pull off a magical ethnic cleansing, to rid the city of the double scourge of Mageus and immigrants. Esta makes her way to the gang that, in the past, actually pulled off the heist of the book from the Order, hoping to infiltrate the group and find an opportunity to steal the book herself. The gang is full of colorful characters with gifts (here called “affinities”)of their own, led by Dolph, a young German Mageus whose affinity allows him to sense those of the people around him. There’s Jianyu, a Chinese Mageus who can turn invisible; Viola, a (rather stereotypically) hot-tempered Italian who has a way with knives; and Nibsy, Dolph’s bespectacled second-in-command and strategic expert. Dolph turns out to be the second protagonist of The Last Magician, and his main concern is trying to protect his fellow magic-users by stealing the book. To this end, he reaches out to Harte, the third protagonist, a former friend who now works as a stage magician, hiding his Mageus abilities under the cover of more palatable illusions and tricks. When Esta is thrown into the mix, she finds herself tested by Dolph’s group to prove her trustworthiness, and is thrust into the role of a honeypot in order to sway Harte to Dolph’s cause.
I don’t want to get much more specific about how the plot goes without risking spoilers or making this review another thousand words long. Once Esta and Harte meet, sparks fly in a manner right out of the most delicious of trope fanfic: naturally, he has to kiss her without warning in order to save her from a dangerous Order-affiliated gang, and she bites his tongue to the point of bleeding for his trouble. This, of course, before they’ve actually been introduced properly. I have to admit being a sucker for this kind of fight-cute relationship (see: The Man From Uncle’s Illya and Gaby), and as Esta and Harte became closer and closer without ever actually declaring their burgeoning feelings, I felt myself practically squealing with delight, to the point where I somewhat jokingly tweeted at Maxwell, asking if there was an official ship name for Esta and Harte (Estarte? Hesta?). The plot itself escalates as we narrow in on the heist, and experience Esta’s growing ambivalence about betraying the people she’s met in this strange old-new world, and the twists and turns (and reveals) leading up to the cut-off cliffhanger ending had me on the edge of my seat.
In conclusion, I would absolutely pick up the sequel to The Last Magician, but the success of a story should not depend on whether or not there is going to be a sequel and, therefore, any kind of resolution to the plot that occupied the previous hundreds of pages. Therefore, I would recommend waiting until the release of a sequel before reading The Last Magician, because otherwise, you might just be as frustrated as I was with its non-ending.
Note about the rating: I would have given The Last Magician a 7/10 if not for the ending. In fact, my enjoyment of the book made the ending that much more disappointing.
Book review: 'Unhooked' by Lisa Maxwell
Oklahoman Published: June 5, 2016 12:00 AM CDT Updated: June 5, 2016 12:00 AM CDT
“Unhooked” by Lisa Maxwell (Simon & Schuster, 342 pages, in stores)
Lisa Maxwell's "Unhooked" is an imaginative retelling of the Peter Pan story, set in a far different sort of Neverland. The novel is intended for ages 14 and up.
Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home. Her mother believes monsters are hunting them. They move often, and every time they move to a new place, her mother places rune stones around the windows to keep the monsters out.
Her mother's delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwendolyn was building for herself. Her only consolation is that her best friend, Olivia, is visiting for the summer. Then Gwen and Olivia are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and taken to a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey, and Gwen realizes her mother has been right all along.
Gwen awakens on a ship, manned by a captain who looks just a little older than she is, perhaps 17, and a large group of boys, ages 3 to 15. At first she is treated as a prisoner but finally is allowed on deck. She can see an island in the distance, and it seems to be moving. She asks the captain what it is, and he tells her it is Neverland. No matter what direction or how far the ship sails, Neverland is always there.
Pan comes to find her, and although the captain has told her Pan is dangerous and a liar, she goes with him to Neverland to rescue Olivia. Olivia doesn't remember her, and Gwen also is beginning to forget her past. As Gwen begins to understand what is happening in Neverland, she wonders if she will ever find her way home.
— Betty Lytle, for The Oklahoman
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Review: Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell
Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: February 2, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
For as long as she can remember, Gwendolyn Allister has never had a place to call home—all because her mother believes that monsters are hunting them. Now these delusions have brought them to London, far from the life Gwen had finally started to build for herself. The only saving grace is her best friend, Olivia, who’s coming with them for the summer.
But when Gwen and Olivia are kidnapped by shadowy creatures and taken to a world of flesh-eating sea hags and dangerous Fey, Gwen realizes her mom might have been sane all along.
The world Gwen finds herself in is called Neverland, yet it’s nothing like the stories. Here, good and evil lose their meaning and memories slip like water through her fingers. As Gwen struggles to remember where she came from and find a way home, she must choose between trusting the charming fairy-tale hero who says all the right things and the roguish young pirate who promises to keep her safe.
With time running out and her enemies closing in, Gwen is forced to face the truths she’s been hiding from all along. But will she be able to save Neverland without losing herself?
What I Liked:
I've never read any kind of Peter Pan retelling - and if I'm honest, I've not read Peter Pan, nor seen the movie. Whoops? I've never had a ton of interest in the story! But trust me, I know enough about it to understand the "retelling" aspects of this book. A job well done by Maxwell! This is my first book I've read by her and I REALLY enjoyed it!
Gwen is used to moving from place to place, at the whim of her mother's crazy hallucinations. This time, it's to London, but Gwen's friend Olivia is coming to stay with them for a bit. But their first night at the flat doesn't go as planned - Gwen is kidnapped and transported by monsters to a place she has never seen before or heard about - which turns out to be Neverland. Aboard a ship captained by a roguish pirate, Gwen is desperate to figure out what is going on - as well as to find Olivia and get back to London. But Neverland is full of dangerous secrets, lies, and perils - this isn't like the story Gwen knows at all.
The beginning of this was a tad bit slow - but as soon as Gwen is taken into Neverland, I was hooked (hehehe, see what I did there?). I could not read this book fast enough! Like I said, I've not read Peter Pan or watched the movie or read any retelling, but I could tell immediately that this retelling was different. So many things are upside down! Peter Pan isn't a good guy; Tinker Bell isn't a cute fairy; the Lost Boys are, well, lost, but also a bit bloodthirsty.
Gwen is such a mentally and emotionally strong heroine! She doesn't panic and freak out when she comes to understand that she's in Neverland, far far away from London. She goes toe to toe with the Captain, never backing down, always trying to find out more. She's persistent and never stops trying to remember her home, to find a way to get out, to get to Olivia.
Captain Hook is my favorite character of this book. The Captain is young, a few years older than Gwen, but he is hardened and wicked and very much a roguish pirate. He saves Gwen from drowning (which is how she ended up on his ship upon waking up in Neverland). The Captain has this innate charm to him, almost seductive, but not in a manipulative way. There are so many scenes with him and Gwen that made me swoon and reread and pause and reread again. Walk the plank scene. GUYS. That's my favorite scene. Chilling yet so, so swoony (weird combination, I know).
The story reads so quickly! Once we're in Neverland (which was very quickly into the book, maybe within 10%), the story takes off. Gwen needs to find Olivia and they need to get out. Gwen isn't sure why she or Olivia was taken, until she overhears a conversation and sees some information. She meets this fairy shortly after, who takes her to Olivia. And then things fall apart.
Despite what the synopsis might lead you to believe, there is NO LOVE TRIANGLE in this book. None. I promise you. Gwen falls for one guy... the other one is a manipulative bastard who never touched her, mind or body. I didn't like that the synopsis is so misleading, but then, I can see why the publisher would construct it as such. THERE IS NO LOVE TRIANGLE THOUGH. The author makes it very obvious, in terms of who is the (one) love interest, and who is being manipulative. Gwen doesn't fall for anyone's tricks at any point, try as one boy might.
I loooove the romance. The Captain and Gwen have such a fiery, passionate relationship; every interaction between the two of them have some charged tension to it. I swooned just about every time they were in the same room. There is a percentage of the book that doesn't involve the two of them together - but when they come back together, it's like lightning! More sizzly tension.
The climax of this book had me biting my nails! I had NO idea what would happen at the end of the book, especially given the amount of foreshadowing that the author set in place about one particular aspect of the book. HOWEVER. I am pleased to say that I loved the ending. It was perfect - especially the epilogue!
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. I can't even believe how much I enjoyed it! I was very apprehensive because of the synopsis (with the insinuated love triangle in the synopsis), but I was excited about pirates and charm lads and Neverland. No love triangle and our pirate was very charming and wicked and Neverland was craaaazy - this book was great! What in the world was I worried about?!
What I Did Not Like:
There wasn't anything in this book that REALLY bothered me enough to say that I'm taking away a star because of this or that. I wish the synopsis didn't insinuate a love triangle - but that's not the author's fault. I hated Peter Pan because he's soooo manipulative - but I think that was the point. The ending glossed over a few details that I questioned, but I was so relieved about other aspects, I didn't question those too much. The ending was lovely!
Would I Recommend It:
I so recommend this book! Readers of any genre in YA would love it! Pirates! Roguish captain! Insane storybook world that is trying to kill everyone! Hidden talents! Swoon swoon swoony romance! And it's a standalone and ends so well - this book made me smile so much.
Rating:
4.5 stars. I'm rounding down to 4 stars but it's a strong 4.5-star rating. You should give this book a shot! Even if you're like me, who has never read or watched Peter Pan ANYTHING. Also no love triangle. Also swoony roguish pirate who charmed me from the start and can take me on his ship any day. Guys. You want this book! It's worth the wait!