Tag Archives: Magic

Review: The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,
The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers
Amanda Connolly
Sarah Barley Books
Published July 7, 2026

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About The Lure of Wolves and Whispers

A darkly addictive romantasy debut about a girl who sacrifices everything to buy the dangerous magic that could save her sister—the first in a trilogy perfect for fans of Powerless and Throne of Glass.

On the mist-shrouded Isle of Eireann, buying magic comes with a price.

But when her beloved older sister is gravely injured, Maeve risks everything to buy the forbidden magic that might save her. In exchange, Maeve trades her life to a ruthless and dangerously alluring rebel leader. Bound to do his bidding, Maeve finds herself thrown into a deadly competition to become the next queen and stand beside a prince rumored to be more brutal than his tyrannical father.

With the isle on the brink of war, trust and survival come at a terrible cost—one that will tear Maeve’s world, and her heart, in two.

What would you sacrifice to survive?

My Review

There are a lot of elements about this book that appeal to me. The wrestling with how to take down an unjust government, and how to figure out whom to trust. Maeve struggles against the idea that she’s simply a pawn in the hands of the rebellion. What agency does she have? How can she serve her own ends while protecting herself and her sister?

The romance between a rebel leader and Maeve, an unwilling spy, reminds me of the kinds of romances we’ve seen in Divergent by Veronica Roth or Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray.

Several scenes contain extended gratuitous violence. Guards maim and murder simply because they can. Prisoners and accused magic users are tortured and executed. I’m probably toward the more sensitive side of the scale as a reader, so the long descriptions and repeated reminders of the cruelty of those in power were a lot for me to take.

As I read, I found myself asking, is this book marketed as young adult fiction because of genre trends and not because it’s actually young adult fiction? The magical contest and scrappy rebel romance remind me of The Red Queen or Throne of Glass, so I can see why this book could do well on the YA shelf.

Besides those themes, though, the story seemed very adult to me. Maeve didn’t read as much like a teenager as she did like a repressed young woman escaping an oppressive home life. I could see this appealing to fans of Fourth Wing with the emphasis on political maneuvering and the hate-to-love romance.

I certainly think there are teens who would read this book and enjoy it. It just hits a particular nerve for me to continue seeing books that seem like adult fiction pushed onto young adult fiction shelves. (This happens more often when the books are written by women.)

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 18 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. An extended scene shows explicit sex.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic. It’s woven into the lore and religious practice, though magic has been outlawed now.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Gratuitous violence and torture. Battle scenes show graphic injuries and fatalities.

Drug Content
One contest involves drinking poison.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Adventure in the City of Stories by Emma Otheguy

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Historical, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , , ,

Adventure in the City of Stories (Cousins in the Time of Magic)
Emma Otheguy
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published July 21, 2026

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About Adventure in the City of Stories

When stolen artifacts magically appear in their aunt’s closet, cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy travel back in time to 1930 New York City to clear her name before history is irreparably altered in this companion to the “spellbinding” (School Library Journal, starred review) Cousins in the Time of Magic.

Cousins Jorge, Camila, and Siggy never imagined that dusty old puppets and a mysterious book would launch them into a time-traveling adventure. But when they discover their aunt has treasures belonging to Pura Belpré, the trailblazing Latina librarian and storyteller, they’re transported back to 1930s New York City. Their mission? Race against time to return Pura’s puppets and a signed first edition of her book, proving their aunt isn’t a thief.

The past is full of danger, though. A powerful woman will stop at nothing to steal the book, the cousins’ nosy neighbor is snooping around, and the hardship of the Great Depression is all around them. Luckily Jorge, Camila, and Siggy meet Antonia, a fierce Puerto Rican girl fighting injustice against her community.

The cousins will need courage, quick thinking, and a little help from history to protect Pura Belpré’s legacy, clear their aunt’s name, and make it back home. Can they pull it off before time runs out?

My Review

This clever series introduces readers to past Latine heroes through the eyes of a trio of modern kids who travel back in time with their eccentric aunt. The first book takes readers back to the battle that led to the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo today. In this new adventure, the characters visit New York City in 1930 and meet librarian Pura Belpré.

The cast of characters is engaging, and though the story includes adult characters, the action primarily centers around the young narrators. The story explores what it means to be an American, especially a Puerto Rican American, making this a welcome addition to middle grade literature.

The story itself is less than 200 pages, making this a good choice for readers stepping into middle grade from shorter chapter books. Readers graduating from the “Magic Tree House” series will enjoy the familiar time-traveling mechanics of the plot.

All in all, this series is a lot of fun. I’m so glad to see the adventure continue.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 11.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Characters can travel through time via magical boats. At one point, characters make a wish and blow out a candle to complete another bit of magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief (age-appropriate) references to a historical war/invasion. Racist comments and microaggressions. (These are called out as harmful and wrong.)

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom by Dave Roman

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , , , ,

Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom! (Unicorn Boy #2)
Dave Roman
First Second
Published May 5, 2026

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About Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom!

In the second exciting installment of this magical adventure, our hero Unicorn Boy sets out in search of deep mystical how to fit in at a sleep-over, how to handle everyone seeming cooler than you are, and what’s up with this whole unicorn thing? Perfect for readers of Narwhal and Jelly, Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators.

Brian Reyes always felt a bit different—even before growing a unicorn horn, discovering a talking muffin, and swallowing the ruler of the Underworld to save his BFF. So when he receives a mysterious invitation for a Unicorn-Only Sleepover, Brian wonders if these fellow magical creatures might help him make sense of his increasingly odd world. Held in an enchanted castle in the clouds, not everything at this glitzy, glamorous party is as it seems, and Brian will have to fend off increasing social anxiety, ignore the negative feelings in his gut, and stay true to himself if he’s going to survive the night!

With a wave of his magic pen, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems—you know, things like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe.

My Review

I missed the first book in this series, but didn’t really have any trouble following this second one. There are some hints about what happened in the first book, and a problem that runs through the book that began in the first Unicorn Boy graphic novel.

The main character is unusual– a superhero, but one who isn’t easily classified. He’s a boy with a unicorn horn who seems a little bit shy and anxious. He seems like the kind of character that kids who feel a little out of place will enjoy reading about.

The book follows a superhero story format, introducing a villain-driven problem that the hero’s superpowers must solve. Here, Unicorn Boy depends on relationships and teamwork to put things right.

The quirky cast (which includes a character under a curse who appears as a sentient muffin) adds some humor. The underlying message about belonging and friendship will resonate with middle elementary-aged readers.

All in all, this seems like a great series for readers who’ve aged out of the Narwhal and Jelly books or who are interested in modern stories about superheroes.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 7 to 10.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Contains superheroes and characters with superpowers. One character is the former ruler of the Underworld.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Some brief scenes show bullying.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai

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Deathly Fates
Tesia Tsai
Wednesday Books
Published April 12, 2026

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About Deathly Fates

“Rich and wholeheartedly poignant. Deathly Fates sings with profound spirit, exploring the consequences of war and the scars cut by nobility during trying times. An entrancing world that will certainly linger.” —Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

A sweeping debut inspired by the Chinese folk practice of necromancy, Deathly Fates is perfect for fans of Descendant of the Crane, The Bone Shard Daughter, and A Magic Steeped in Poison.

As a corpse-driving priestess, a holy servant paid to guide the deceased home, Kang Siying has never feared death. But when her beloved father collapses due to his declining health, Siying realizes that even she is not free from the cruel grasp of mortality. Desperate to provide her father with the medical aid he needs, Siying accepts a dangerous job that promises a generous commission, and travels to a hostile state to retrieve the corpse of a missing prince.

But the moment Siying places her reanimation talisman on the dead prince’s head, rather than make the corpse obedient to Siying’s commands, the talisman brings the prince back to life. Worse, he won’t stay alive for long―not unless he absorbs enough qi, or life force, to keep his soul anchored to his body.

In return for a reward worth twice her original commission, Siying agrees to aid the frustratingly handsome prince in finding and purifying evil spirits for their qi. But as they journey across the countryside, encountering vengeful ghosts and enemy spies alike, they gradually uncover dark secrets about the prince’s death―secrets that could endanger both Siying’s father and their entire kingdom.

My Review

The idea of benevolent reanimation of the dead drew me to this book. Usually, that’s something pretty soundly reserved for the villains, or heroes slipping toward a villain arc. Here, it’s more of a compassionate relocation effort to allow burial rites to be performed in someone’s hometown. It’s a fascinating premise.

Some moments in a book beg to be acted out on screen. The moment that Ren, the dead soldier she’s been sent to recover, speaks to her, making a joke and sending her spinning into shock, has to be one of those. I loved that.

The relationship between Siying and Ren was a lot of fun. I loved seeing it unfold. His playfulness disarmed her and helped her unbend. Her seriousness made him work for things he might have otherwise considered out of his reach.

Siying is also dealing with a lot of grief over her parents. Her mom has died and left her to care for her dad, who is in fragile health, and her younger sister. That felt very raw and present throughout the story. At first, she’s desperate to bring Ren home because the money it will bring could save her father’s life. Eventually, she wants to save Ren for his own sake, in addition to using him as a vehicle to help her dad. I found the slow-burn romance between Siying and Ren really sweet.

Throughout the book, Siying encounters many different faces of grief. She meets a woman lost in despair and rage over the death of her infant daughter. She visits a healer banished after being wrongfully blamed for her mistress’s death. A whole village shares its grief over family members executed as traitors by an unjust ruler.

The echo of the weight and power of grief, both to cause further harm and to motivate people to protect one another, rings throughout the whole book. As Siying faces her own grief, she has to decide how she will respond.

Conclusion

All in all, I liked this book more even than I predicted I would. The characters are engaging, the fantasy landscape intriguing, and the pacing kept me hustling to read one more chapter until the end. I think fans of Lori M. Lee and Joan He will enjoy this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Mild profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Siying is a priestess of an order that uses spells and sacred objects to reanimate the dead and walk them to their homes, so the families can bury them and grieve. Evil spirits of the dead emerge when someone dies in dark circumstances. These spirits can drain the qi (life force) and harm or kill anyone they encounter. Siying must refill the prince’s qi by collecting and purifying the qi of these spirits.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to war and the deaths of soldiers. References to death by suicide and murder. Battles between Siying and powerful evil spirits bent on killing her.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Lustrous Dark by Loretta Chefchaouni

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

The Lustrous Dark
Loretta Chefchaouni
Peachtree Teen
Published May 19, 2026

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About The Lustrous Dark

For fans of Sabaa Tahir and Guillermo del Toro comes The Lustrous Dark, a sweeping YA fantasy inspired by a Moroccan folktale, in which a young midwife’s apprentice rises up to take back the power that’s been stolen from women.

Orphaned as a baby, Shay has spent her life training as the midwife’s apprentice. Her role grants her stability, yet Shay has always yearned for more. Namely, motherly affection and answers regarding her mysterious birth—neither of which the midwife deems practical to provide.

After Shay discovers her birth mother, Hind, is still alive and addicted to a magical drug called Snow, she determines to get the woman clean. But when Hind betrays Shay to get her hands on more Snow, Shay’s abandoned within a deadly forest and forced to rely on a band of monstrous ghouls for safety.

Shay’s realm has long stood on the brink of war between the men who control magic and the revolutionaries who want to eliminate it. But in the forest, Shay hears the pleading call of ancient spirits who claim that not only has magic been stolen, but she has the power to return it. With the help of a spitfire revolutionary and the boy who’s winning over her heart, Shay discovers the horrific truth of who produces Snow and will have to decide for herself whether to heed the spirits’ charge or fade into obscurity.

This emotionally raw and gorgeously rendered fairytale combines the lush worldbuilding of This Woven Kingdom with the mother trauma of Snow White and a dash of Tim Burton. Steeped in mysticism and mythology, The Lustrous Dark confronts injustices against women with a righteous scream that’ll inspire readers to rally against the patriarchy and oppressive regimes worldwide.

My Review

The author’s note at the beginning of the book shares how Chefchaouni came to write this story. She shares a bit about its personal connection to her life. I loved having that context as I went into the story. It definitely has the feel of a book that’s wrestling with deep things.

Shay herself wrestles with her feelings about her adoptive mom. She longs for a connection with her biological mother and has both fears and desires regarding her own hidden magical abilities. Those experiences felt incredibly real.

The portrayal of addiction is a little more stigmatized than I’ve seen lately, especially in young adult fiction. While the story explores some of the predatory behavior of groups in power and the role that Snow plays in that power structure, the story doesn’t delve very deeply into the illness of addiction. The most prominent character battling addiction is portrayed as both a victim of her addiction and an untrustworthy person. Both Shay’s behavior and this other character’s are realistic. I think the story would have benefited from additional context on addiction as an illness.

That aside, I thought the story and its themes of addiction as a means of subjugating a population made for a powerful vehicle for reimagining the Moroccan folktale. The fantasy landscape is filled with intricate details that all feel like they could have their own stories. The large cast of characters is handled well.

All in all, this evocative fantasy, exploring complex feelings about the pull of biological connections and the unique power of femininity, makes for a fascinating read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague reference to sex. Vague reference to sexual abuse.

Spiritual Content
The story contains some folklore tales about how the story’s monsters came to exist. Magic has been outlawed and stigmatized as a result of using a powerful drug called Snow. Some babies are born with magical abilities. A strong tea can suppress the ability. Midwives have a special spiritual affinity, since they spend so much time near the veil between life and death in the course of their work.

Violent Content
Several scenes show traumatic birth events. (Babies that must be revived after birth, a mother dying in childbirth.) Brief, graphic descriptions of execution by hanging. Brief, graphic descriptions of a group of monsters consuming someone’s remains. And brief, graphic descriptions of a soldier killing a woman. A vampire-like character attacks a woman and boasts of killing others.

Drug Content
A powerful drug called Snow is highly addictive. Shay tries to help an addicted woman who isn’t ready/able to give up her addiction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , ,

The Faraway Inn
Sarah Beth Durst
Delacorte Press
Published March 31, 2026

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About The Faraway Inn

After a devastating heartbreak, a teen girl decides to spend her summer helping her eccentric great aunt manage her quaint Vermont inn–but this fixer-upper is hiding a magical secret–in this cozy and irresistable new fantasy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop.

Sixteen-year-old Calisa is desperate for a change of scenery after her lying ex ruins her perfect Brooklyn summer. When her parents suggest she head to rural Vermont to help her great-aunt run her cozy bed and breakfast for a few months, she jumps at the chance.

But when Calisa arrives at the B&B, she’s shocked to find a rundown inn with only a handful of guests. And to make matters worse, upon meeting with her great-aunt it quickly becomes clear that Calisa was not invited. Auntie Zee is determined to keep anyone from messing with her beloved inn…even if it is clear she needs the help.

To earn her keep, Calisa sets to work fixing up the inn, enlisting extra help from the groundskeeper’s (handsome) son. But the longer she stays, the more it becomes evident that there is something strange about the B&B—and its residents. Something almost…otherworldly.

The inn is keeping a magical secret—but to protect the place she’s come to love, Calisa must unravel the truth of it, and her aunt, before it’s too late.

My Review

This is the first time I’ve read anything by Sarah Beth Durst, but I’ve heard her name a lot before. She’s a prolific writer with books spanning a wide range of ages and vibes running from cozy to intense.

The Faraway Inn is one of her cozy fantasy books. Those cozy fantasy elements and sweet moments between characters are exactly the balm my reading soul needed right now. The story made for a lovely escape from reality and a fun summer read.

I actually could have seen this book marketed as adult fiction very easily. Calisa is supposed to be sixteen, but there aren’t many reasons the story has to be about a teenager. The pressure to return home for her senior year added some tension to the story, but that was probably the biggest element that targeted the story at a young adult audience.

One of my favorite characters was probably the lizard named Steve. I liked how he became part of the story and how Calisa’s relationship with him impacted her relationship with her aunt and her confidence in her ability to navigate trouble at the inn.

I would be interested in reading more books by this author. I’m curious about her middle grade titles. I could see the kind of cozy storytelling and humor in this book being well-placed in middle grade as well.

If you’re looking for a read that’s a perfect escape from reality and a fun summer romance, definitely put this on your reading list!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Magical creatures/characters and other worlds.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.