The Iron Trial Magisterium #1 by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare Fantasy Mystery Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Callum Hunt is going to do his best to fail his entrance exam to the Magisterium. His father has warned him that magic is dangerous and the mages will try to kill him, and despite these warnings and his own fear and misgivings, he is taken on as an apprentice by one of the Masters. … Read more
Once & Future Once & Future #1 by A.R. Capetta Arthurian Legend readalike Fantasy LGBTQIA Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Each time Arthur fails to fulfill his prophecy, he is reincarnated (along with all of his compatriots – Lancelot, Guinevere, etc.) and the cycle begins again. This time the spirit of Arthur lives on in teenage Ari, who is both orphaned and exiled from her homeworld when the all-powerful corporation, Mercer, seals … Read more
The Last Graduate Scholomance #2 by Naomi Novik Fantasy Suspense Thriller Adult/teen * * * * Stars (Great!) In this sequel to “A Deadly Education,” El comes into her true power as the school throws more and more magical monsters and impossible tasks her way. She begins to suspect that it is training her up for a specific purpose, which, fortunately or unfortunately aligns with her own goals – to get EVERYONE out. Safely. All … Read more
Wee Free Men Tiffany Aching #1 (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Tiffany Aching is a young woman with a good head on her shoulders. She’s also a fledgling witch whose world is being invaded by an evil queen whose favorite attack seems to be invading dreams. Tiffany has to use her witchy ways to defeat the queen and save her world. She has little experience in this, as she’s … Read more
A Winter’s Promise The Mirror Visitor #1 by Christelle Dabos (translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle) Fantasy Mystery Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) Ophelia isn’t pleased when she’s informed of her arranged marriage that will take her away from the work she loves – running her family’s museum and reading the pasts of objects by handling them. Her fiancé unceremoniously whisks her away to his family’s ark at the Pole where she’s … Read more
Wynd Book 1: Flight of the Prince by James Tynion IV + Michael Dialynas Fantasy Graphic Novel LGBTQ+ Teen/Adult * * * * Stars (Great!) When the King turns his attention to the “weirdbloods,” Wynd’s adoptive family attempts to sneak him out of town and get him somewhere safe. But the King’s henchman, the Bandaged Man, can sniff out anyone with magical blood and Wynd’s scent is particularly distictive. Their violent pursuit leaves a swathe … Read more
A Witch Alone Apprentice Witch #2 by James Nicol Fantasy Juvenile Fiction Mystery Tween Young Adult Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Arianwyn’s experience with the forgotten glyphs brings her to the attention of the High Elder, who wants her to go on a quest to retrieve a special book that is supposed to contain more of them. Although Arianwyn will have companions, they aren’t allowed to reveal the true purpose of their mission. … Read more
The Apprentice Witch Apprentice Witch #1 by James Nicol Fantasy Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Something goes horribly wrong during Arianwyn’s assessment and it’s only through her powerful and respected grandmother’s influence that she’s given a position as an apprentice witch in the town of Lull, bordering the Great Wood (where all manner of dark and dangerous magical beings lurk). Despite her test results, Arianwyn does admirably well in her new position. … Read more
Ash and Quill Great Library #3 by Rachel Caine Fantasy Suspense Thriller Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) #3 in the Great Library series – Jess and his friends narrowly avoid capture by the Library’s High Garda, but land themselves in the hands of a whole city (Philadelphia) of book burners. When their attempts to convince the Burners to aid them fail, they come up with another escape plan, but at a terrible cost … Read more
Paper and Fire The Great Library #2 by Rachel Caine Fantasy Suspense Thriller Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) Jess Brightwell, now part of the Library’s High Garda, is on a quest to discover the whereabouts of his friend Thomas, who disappeared after the Archivist Magister learned of the plans for his secret printing press. With the help of friends (Glain, Khalila, Dario, Morgan, and their teacher Scholar Wolfe and his partner Captain Santi), … Read more