Once Future, Cory McCarthy
Once Future, Cory McCarthy
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
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Once & Future

Author: Cory McCarthy, A. R. Capetta

Narrator: Lauren Fortgang

Unabridged: 10 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/26/2019

Synopsis

King Arthur as you've never seen her! This bold, sizzling YA novel reimagines the Once and Future King as a teenage girl determined to save the universe from an evil curse.
My name is Ari Helix. I have a magic sword, a cranky wizard, and a revolution to start.
I've been chased my whole life. As a fugitive refugee in the territory controlled by the tyrannical Mercer corporation, I've always had to hide who I am. Until I found Excalibur. Now I'm done hiding.
When Ari crash-lands on Old Earth and pulls a magic sword from its ancient resting place, she is revealed to be the newest reincarnation of King Arthur. Then she meets Merlin, who has aged backward over the centuries into a teenager, and together they must break the curse that keeps Arthur coming back. Their quest? Defeat the cruel, oppressive government and bring peace and equality to all humankind. No pressure.
"All hail this worthier-than-ever, fresh, and affirming reincarnation of the legendary king and her round table of knights which dazzles with heroic flair, humor, and suspense." -- Kirkus, Starred Review

About Cory McCarthy

Cory McCarthy [he/they] is the acclaimed, bestselling author of five released children's books and just as many forthcoming titles. His books have been translated into several languages and have appeared on the Bank Street, Barnes and Noble, Book Riot, and Tor best books list, as well as the Amelia Bloomer list of feminist children's fiction. Their upcoming titles include a middle grade trilogy and nonfiction picture book. They teach at Vermont College of Fine Arts and, like many of their characters, are a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily May on March 26, 2019

He apologized for breaking his promise not to use magic as he took down the guard with the needle. Then another apology -- "sorry, quite sorry" -- as he zinged the one holding Hex. "Why are you being so nice to them right now?" Hex asked. "I'm British!" Merlin cried. It's times like this when I rea......more

Goodreads review by Melanie on March 06, 2019

ARC provided by Hachette in exchange for an honest review. “Buried in the trunk of the thousand-year-old oak was a sword.” I have a very big soft spot in my heart for Arthurian legend and I will never turn down a retelling of the epic tale. And when I heard that we were going to get an own......more

Goodreads review by Angelica on June 22, 2020

Ok, so this book was hilarious. I had a stupid grin on my face the entire time. I was literally laughing out loud while reading, a very rare thing for me. And maybe that was the problem? This book was extremely funny and I absolutely loved that. I also really loved the writing. I honestly didn't expec......more

Goodreads review by Alana on March 23, 2019

A Gender-bent King Arthur reimagining set in space with a cast full of LGBT+ rep, what more could we possibly need in 2019? Not a damn thing. When I received an e-mail from the publisher asking if I would be interested in a receiving a copy of this book the screech I let out would have been loud enoug......more

Goodreads review by Katie.dorny on September 01, 2019

This just jumped from here to there and back again. I couldn’t keep up with the storyline beyond the basics of the legend I know and what the authors were trying to create here. Random sentimental scenes would be dropped in and then suddenly you are transported to another planet in another character’s......more

Quotes

Praise for Once & Future:

* "All hail this worthier-than-ever, fresh, and affirming reincarnation of the legendary king and her round table of knights which dazzles with heroic flair, humor, and suspense."—Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

* "A marvelous mythology remix for teens who enjoy action-packed speculative fiction and genderqueer romance."—Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

*"This epic space adventure... is a must-have."—School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

"Fun and fearless, this story romps right across the galaxy and into your heart."—Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Illuminae

"The inclusive, genderbent King Arthur retelling your bookshelf has been missing. ... An adventure of epic scale, including on-page representation and celebration of people of many different sexualities, races, and gender identities."—B&N Teen Blog

"Like White's The One and Future King, this manages to be exciting, earnest, and funny... Unique twists and a message of unity through diversity result in a meaningful, utterly fun read."—Booklist

"Pointedly funny and deftly topical, an effortless Arthurian update with heart in all the right places."—#1 New York Times Bestselling Author E.K. Johnston

"Once & Future is an utterly delightful romp, full of witty voice, imaginative adventures, and deeply lovable characters. It kept me up into the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't put it down!"—--Katherine Locke, author of The Girl with the Red Balloon (2018 Sydney Taylor Honor Book)

"An effortlessly fun, breathtakingly epic quest, featuring a queer immigrant teen pulling Excalibur and fighting to save the galaxy. There is nothing else in YA that can quite compare to Once & Future, which makes it a unique and majestic reading experience. It's the holy grail of inclusiveness!"—Rachel Strolle, Glenside Public Library

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