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
Silver Batal and the Water Dragon Races Silver Batal #1 by KD Halbrook Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars Are you fascinated by dragons? Well, this is your book. Silver Batal is an ele-jeweler, daughter of one of the most skilled jewelers in all of the city. There is one slight problem though. Silver is not good at jewelry work. And she dreams about the great dragon races, and most of … Read more
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune Adult/YA crossover Fantasy * * * Stars (Pretty good) Linus Baker, 40, has always been a good cog in the bureaucratic machine that is the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He has spent his career as a case worker and has not stood out in anyway apart from his thorough, no-nonsense reports. He is most surprised when Extremely Upper Management selects him to investigate the … Read more
Illusionarium by Heather Dixon Adventure Fantasy Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Illusionarium is a fantasy book that seems to take place in early 19th century England (though it isn’t stated). It’s so fast paced and well-written, you won’t want to put it down once you start reading. If you love books, this one is for you! If you don’t like reading much, try this one, and by the end … Read more
Red Queen Red Queen #1 by Victoria Aveyard Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Mare is just a girl living in a poor village when one day, she discovers she has the power of lightning. Immediately, she is brought into the world of silvers, where their blood is silver and they rule above the common red people. She must pretend to be someone she is not while all the while helping … Read more