All of Us with Wings

Starred review from May 1, 2019
Xochi, a teen runaway, is contracted by 12-year-old Pallas and her polyamorous family to be their governess. The night of an after-party during the vernal equinox, Xochi and her charge conjure two fey children bent on punishing all who have wronged the older girl. Debut author Keil paints San Francisco in both specific and broad strokes--the music scene, fashion, and lack of modern technology hint at a possibly historical setting. The worldbuilding falls somewhere between the dangerously thrilling and dark urban fantasies of Holly Black and the magic-infused, sweeping romances of Anna-Marie McLemore. The writing soars, especially at the sentence level, alternating effortlessly between past and present and the perspectives of multiple protagonists, including a bookstore cat with ties to the faery world. The secondary characters are multidimensional and bring their own storied pasts, which will draw readers to this loving and unconventional family. The often flippant dialogue helps to break up some of the heavier, more painful, and rawer passages. Xochi's reckless decisions, especially a taboo sexual relationship and high-chasing drug use, aren't played for drama or effect--they exemplify a truly traumatized teen on the path to recovery and healing. Through risky and sometimes-empowering behavior, she learns to forgive and love herself. Xochi is biracial (Mexican-American and white); she is also queer, as are multiple secondary characters. This tale of found family and recovery weaves an unforgettable punk rock-infused spell. (Magical realism/urban fantasy. 15-adult)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 13, 2019
In this lyrical contemporary fantasy set in postpunk-era San Francisco, a young woman comes of age while serving as a live-in governess to a 12-year-old whose family is in a popular rock band. Biracial Mexican-American Xochi Madrid, 17, hitchhiked to San Francisco to escape past trauma and the man who sexually abused her. Now caught up in the lifestyle of a freewheeling, polyamorous household, Xochi grapples with her lack of direction, her reluctant attraction to 28-year-old band member Leviticus, and her responsibilities to his daughter, and her charge, brilliant Pallas, who’s rebelling in her own way. Amid this, a playful spell gone wrong accidentally summons two supernatural children who seek vengeance on anyone who has harmed Xochi. Keil’s atmospheric debut conjures up a setting both seductive and dangerous for her diverse cast of flawed characters. Following a number of supporting characters—including Peasblossom, a knowledgeable bookstore cat—Keil plays with prose and imagery, interweaving the dreamlike language of Francesca Lia Block with a Latin-American sensibility. The frank inclusion of sexual exploration and drug use adds an extra level of maturity to this thoughtful story about trauma and vengeance, adult decision making, and recovery. Ages 16–up. Agent: Hannah Fergesen, KT Literary.

June 1, 2019

Gr 10 Up-Seventeen-year-old Xochi's life has never been easy. Her single mother abandoned her to a man who repeatedly raped her, her loving adopted grandmother has died from cancer, and she has no idea who her father is. Xochi ends up in San Francisco, where she meets 12-year-old Pallas. The two bond almost instantly, and Pallas takes Xochi home, where she is hired as a governess for the precocious girl. Pallas's family and living situation are unusual, with unmarried parents who live together and "date" other people, a rock musician father, and various band members and friends all living there together. On the night of their annual Vernal Equinox party, Pallas and Xochi cast a spell for fun and accidentally bring forth two creatures whose mission is to punish anyone who has hurt Xochi. Chaos results as Xochi finds that she can never truly escape her past. This intricately constructed urban fantasy is complex and beautiful, blending folklore, San Franciscan history, the music scene, vampires, magic, and the intertwined lives of characters, including a cat named Peasblossom who sees and understands more than the humans. While some of the minor characters tend to blend together, the main characters are well developed and robust. The hippie "free love" atmosphere and various adult relationships make this a book for older teens that could also be a crossover for new adult and adult readers. This first book by Keil ends with the possibility of a welcome sequel. VERDICT Fantasy fans will find this book appealing, fun, and hard to put down.-Janet Hilbun, University of North Texas, Denton

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.