Category Archives: Fantasy

Review: Witchlings by Claribel Ortega

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Witchlings by Claribel Ortega

Witchlings (Witchlings #1)
Claribel Ortega
Scholastic Press
Published April 5, 2022

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About Witchlings

A magical adventure for fans of AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS and NEVERMOOR, about three witchlings who must work together to do the impossible if they have any hope of earning their full powers.

Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches.

And twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can’t wait to be placed in the most powerful coven with her best friend! But on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire town, Seven isn’t placed in one of the five … Continue reading →

Review: Monster Camp by Sarah Henning

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Monster Camp by Sarah Henning

Monster Camp
Sarah Henning
Simon & Schuster
Published May 9, 2023

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About Monster Camp

Ghost Squad meets Hotel Transylvania in this sweetly spooky fish-out-of-water middle grade story about a human girl who must put on the performance of her life when she realizes what she thought was a LARPing summer camp is full of real monsters!

With her stick-on fangs and widow’s peak drawn in waterproof eyeliner, Sylvie is an expert at pretending to be a vampire. More kids at school would know that if they bothered to join her monster LARPing (live action role playing) club. Not even her dad understands her passion for the undead and denies … Continue reading →

Review: Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A. F. Steadman

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Skandar and the Phantom Rider by A. F. Steadman cover shows a boy on a unicorn in the foreground with a wave forming into the shape of a unicorn in the background.

Skandar and the Phantom Rider (Skandar #2)
A. F. Steadman
Simon & Schuster
Published May 3, 2023

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About Skandar and the Phantom Rider

The Island shall have its revenge . . .

Skandar Smith has achieved his dream to train as a unicorn rider.

But as Skandar and his friends enter their second year at the Eyrie, a new threat arises. Immortal wild unicorns are somehow being killed, a prophecy warns of terrible danger, and elemental destruction begins … Continue reading →

Review: The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith

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The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith

The Other Side of Infinity
Joan F. Smith
Feiwel & Friends
Published April 25, 2023

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About The Other Side of Infinity

THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END meets THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT in this YA novel by Joan F. Smith, where a teen uses her gift of foreknowledge to help a lifeguard save a drowning man―only to discover that her actions have suddenly put his life at risk.

It was supposed to be an ordinary day at the pool, but when lifeguard Nick hesitates during a save,
seventeen-year-old December uses her gift of foreknowledge to rescue the … Continue reading →

Review: Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder by Bookerlunds

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Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder by Taya Okerlund and Nathan Okerlund

Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder
Taya Okerlund and Nathan Okerlund
Bookerlunds
Published March 31, 2023

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About Never Lore: Journey to Mt. Smolder

NOTICE: Explosive content contained within. (Rebel boys and indomitable girls have always been a combustible combination.)

All the signs of Fairy’s unraveling were there: a strict rationing of pixie dust; the disappearance of a magical species; a reckless reliance on spies plucked from human orphanages. Annabelle was no orphan. Her father was perhaps the most infamous man in Childerbridge-and she’d never live down the shame of it, though she’d also never accept that the charges against … Continue reading →

Review: Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf

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Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hanna Alkaf

Hamra and the Jungle of Memories
Hanna Alkaf
HarperCollins
Published March 28, 2023

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About Hamra and the Jungle of Memories

A Malaysian spin on Little Red Riding Hood from the critically acclaimed author of The Girl and the Ghost, Hanna Alkaf.

Courage is the strongest magic there is.

On Hamra’s thirteenth birthday, she receives nothing but endless nagging and yet another errand to run in the Langkawi jungle that looms behind her home.

No one has remembered her special day.

And so, stifled and angry, Hamra ignores something she shouldn’t: the rules of the jungle.

Always ask permission before you enter. Hamra walks boldly in.

… Continue reading →