The Marked Girl

When three royal refugees from a magical realm are stranded in modern-day Los Angeles, courtesy of an uprising back home and a one-way portal, they befriend aspiring filmmaker Liv Phillips, an orphan who may be the key to finding their way back. Liv feels oddly responsible for Prince Cedric and his companions, but as she helps them search for the legendary scrolls that can open a new portal, she too is marked for death by the malevolent “wraths” tracking the prince’s party. In this ambitious yet overcomplicated debut, Klingele turns the typical portal fantasy inside out by bringing her characters to Earth; however, the complex backstory and rapidly expanding cast tend to overwhelm the sense of wonder and excitement she creates. Certain elements, such as the identity of the villain behind Cedric’s troubles, and a potential traitor in their midst, are broadly telegraphed, while the simmering romantic elements fail to light much of a spark. It all leads to an unsurprising cliffhanger that leaves much unfinished. Ages 13–up. Agent: Reiko Davis, Miriam Altshuler Literary Agency. (June)