Threads That Bind

April 1, 2023
Deities abandoned this nearly ruined world long ago; now their descendants, the other-born, wield lesser, inherited powers for good and evil in this duology opener. Io is the youngest of three sisters descended from the Moirae, or Fates, but she has the deadliest gift: She can sever the threads of life spun by eldest sister Thais and manipulated by middle sister Ava. Orphaned early, the girls were left to fend for themselves. Ava's a nightclub chanteuse, and Io's a private detective. Thais disappeared two years ago. Trailing an errant spouse in the Silts, a sprawling, gang-controlled slum in the half-flooded city of Alante, Io uncovers a murder involving mysterious wraiths intent on avenging past injustices. She reports this to the Silts' mob queen, Bianca, who lends Edei, her handsome, laconic associate, to help Io defeat them. They visit the mansion of the Nine, reclusive muse-borns, to attend an upscale political rally, and as they investigate, their connection grows. Should Io disclose the fate-thread that binds them? Characters' descriptions suggest a multiracial population corresponding to European, Middle Eastern, and North African identities. The apocalyptic setting, including a cosmology in which Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pantheons offer clues to other-born powers, is a strength. The highly original worldbuilding effectively counters some overly familiar, noir-ish elements, occasionally inconsistent characterization, and frenetic pacing. But there's plenty to engage fantasy fans, leaving them eager for the next installment. Classical mythology, police procedural, and romance combine in this imaginative, intriguing post-apocalyptic story. (Fantasy. 14-18)

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Starred review from April 10, 2023
In this page-turning mythological noir fantasy debut by Hatzopoulou, a cataclysm called the Collapse decimated the world and created other-born, descendants of gods who can wield their respective ancestral deity’s powers. The sunken city of Alante is home to 18-year-old Io Ora and her older sisters Thais and Ava. The trio are moira-born, able to see and alter threads of fate. After an emotional rift splits the siblings apart, Io, a fate cutter who can sever the threads that Thais and Ava spin, uses her ability to become a private investigator. When Io stumbles across a murder in an impoverished, gang-controlled corner of Alante, she discovers that wraiths—preternatural women whose fate-threads have been cut by an unknown interloper—are seeking vengeance for past transgressions. Io is hired by Fortuna, a local gang, to learn more; when she meets Fortuna’s second-in-command, Io realizes that he is her soul mate. Sizzling romance and action-packed sequences set against an intriguing plot plagued by political corruption and conspiracy build to a dynamic pace. The postapocalyptic mythos adds flair to the dark and mysterious premise, and intersectionally diverse characters round out this richly detailed adventure. Ages 14–up. Agent: Lauren E. Abramo, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.

May 31, 2023
Grades 9-12 Io and her sisters, Ava and Thais, are bonded together as moira-born--descendants of divinity who inherited the powers to weave and cut the threads of life. Thais, the eldest, abandoned them years ago for no reason, and Io has been off-kilter ever since; Thais always knew the right thing to do in any situation, a talent that Io took solace in. During the course of her private-investigator work, Io finds a wraith (a scorned woman whose life thread has been cut, but who remains somewhat alive) bent on revenge. She makes the mistake of crossing mob boss Bianca Rossi, who demands Io's help figuring out where the wraith, and others like her, are coming from. Complicating matters is Io's fate-thread, which is connected to one of Bianca's enforcers. This is Hatzopoulou's debut, and her descriptive prose, with its touch of humor, is excellent. The concept of life-threads is well thought out, and the short chapters are packed with attention to detail, making this a quick, compulsive read. Recommended for all collections.

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Starred review from July 1, 2023

Gr 9 Up-In a world where children of dead gods inherit their power, a descendant of the Greek Fates must use her powers to help hunt a killer. Io can see and manipulate the Quilt-the threads of Fate that link people to life and love-and often follows the strands in her work as a private investigator in the city of Alante. Daughters of the Fates are always born in threes, but that doesn't mean the sisters are close. Io's family dynamics become even more complicated when her estranged sister arrives on the scene hand in hand with her prime suspect. When Io's investigation puts her in the path of a boy she's destined to love, a thread marking them a rare pair of soulmates, she becomes even more entangled in the criminal underbelly of the Stilts. Hatzopoulou braids many plot lines together to create her dystopian world, deftly weaving a gripping narrative about class, self-determination, and generational trauma. With vivid and compelling writing, the narrative immerses readers in a unique world on the edge of ruin and an achingly slow romance as Io must decide whether to tell Edei about the heart-thread or let him choose on his own. There is diversity in race and orientation throughout the story. Hand to fans of Leigh Bardugo's "Grishaverse" who are looking for a cutthroat and magical criminal underworld. VERDICT With a unique world and layered mystery, readers will love this book. A definite purchase for all YA collections.-Emmy Neal

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