Hearts of Fire and Snow

March 11, 2024
Gregorio “Greg” Chan Ihpotok, an Indigenous Nahua 18-year-old, awakens from a coma with no memory and the certainty that he is a different person than he was before his hospitalization. His supposed guardians assure him that this is normal, though they refuse to elaborate on what is going on around him, instead encouraging him to seek out “the girl who was lost.” Said girl, 17-year-old Blanca Montes, is unhappily dating a boy she’s growing apart from. When Greg transfers to her school, sparks ignite, and the two begin to remember their past lives as ill-fated lovers, Captain Popoca and Princess Iztac. Even as the two grow closer, Greg’s recollections return faster than Blanca’s, leaving the two off-kilter. The appearances of reincarnations from their past coupled with familiar high school drama prompts concerns that the pair might not net a happily ever after in this life either. Commentary surrounding challenges specific to Indigenous communities is integrated via stilted writing and occasionally awkward dialogue. Still, those seeking a Romeo and Juliet–style romance that draws from an iconic Indigenous love story will no doubt enjoy this immersive tale by collaborators Bowles and García McCall (Secret of the Moon Conch). Ages 13–up. Agents: (for Bowles) Taylor Martindale Kean and Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary; (for García McCall) Andrea Cascardi, Transatlantic Literary.

June 1, 2024
Grades 8-11 In this modern retelling of an Aztec star-crossed lovers legend, Popoca searches for his beloved, Lady Iztac. After 1,200 years, he has awakened in Reno, Nevada, as the wealthy Gregorio "Greg" Chan. When he lays eyes on the poised and environmentally passionate Blanca Montes in his high school, he soon discovers she is Lady Iztac's reincarnation. Greg spends his time adjusting to life as a high-schooler while patiently courting Blanca, as she slowly begins to recollect her past. Both teens must work quickly to fully gain their powers and memories before Blanca's tyrannical padrino and jealous ex push them apart. Writing duo Bowles and McCall team up for a stellar dual-narrative fantasy romance with young adults who are ready to better the world. Fans of historical fiction will be intrigued to learn more about the mythological Popoca and Lady Iztac and their relation to the two impressive volcanoes that reside close to each other near Mexico City. A fiery romance with a reminder that true love is worth the wait.

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May 1, 2024
Teen heirs realize they share a present-day zeal for social justice and a tragic past-life love story. Seventeen-year-old Blanca Montes is passionate about Indigenous rights and potable water for communities in need. But neither her longtime boyfriend nor the godfather who's raised her in Nevada and managed her estate since her parents' deaths feel the same way. Increasingly disappointed by these entitled men, she's drawn to rich, handsome Gregorio Chan, 18, a mysterious Mexican transfer student from a Swiss international school. Written in straightforward, page-turning prose, the novel follows Blanca's and Greg's sympathetic alternating perspectives as they discover secrets about their identities. Blanca was Lady Iztac, who, according to Aztec and Nahua tradition, killed herself after being deceived into thinking her love, the warrior Popoca, was dead. When Popoca found Iztac's body, his reaction and ensuing bloodshed triggered a 1,000-year-old curse involving the lovers and people whose souls are intertwined with theirs. Greg--who's Popoca--has just awoken with amnesia and the supernatural ability to wield heat. With the help of goddess guides, Greg must piece together lessons from flashbacks of all his failed attempts to find Iztac and also help Blanca to remember her past life and embrace her newfound power to control ice as the two try to identify and defeat the reincarnated power-hungry traitor in their midst. While some elements are initially confusing, the interesting premise will keep the pages turning until everything comes together at the end. An intriguing tale of love and repentance. (Fantasy romance. 14-18)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

June 14, 2024

Gr 9 Up-This cowritten novel brings to life an Aztec story of two lovers who lost each other centuries ago, reuniting in the present day. Gregorio Chan wakes with no memory of who he is, although he remembers many other things. He is apparently the heir to a wealthy Mexican scion of industry. In truth, he is the reborn Captain Popoca searching a millennium for his lost love, Princess Iztac. His guardians have transferred him to a new school in Reno, NV, at the start of his senior year in order to meet two potential candidates who might be her. Blanca Montes is the heir to a local business empire under the care of her strict godfather. She passionately advocates for solutions to local environmental problems, despite pushback from her toxic boyfriend and godfather. Once the two meet, they form a strong connection, working together to take control of their lives. Told in alternating chapters, the plot grinds to a halt for much of the book with repetitive inner turmoil and interjected confusing past lives. Readers will struggle to suspend any disbelief at the oddly phrased dialogue and strong emphasis on AP curriculum projects that are far too advanced for what most high schoolers actually tackle in such classes. The romance is sadly forced rather than fated and the villains are so easy to spot that they lose all sense of menace. What feels like a strong short story labors as a novel. VERDICT Choose instead Aiden Thomas's The Sunbearer Trials or Lani Forbes's The Seventh Sun.-Kristen Rademacher

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