Tag Archives: Magic

Review: Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

Blood at the Root (Blood at the Root #1)
LaDarrion Williams
Labyrinth Road
Published May 7, 2024

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About Blood at the Root

A teenager on the run from his past finds the family he never knew existed and the community he never knew he needed at an HBCU for the young, Black, and magical . Enroll in this fresh fantasy debut with the emotional power of Legendborn and the redefined ancestral magic of Lovecraft Country .

Ten years ago, Malik’s life changed forever the night his mother mysteriously vanished and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Since then, he has kept his abilities hidden, looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. Now, at 17, Malik is finally ready to start a new life for both of them, far from the trauma of his past. However, a daring act to rescue Taye reveals an unexpected connection with his long-lost a legendary conjurer with ties to a hidden magical university that Malik’s mother attended.

At Caiman University, Malik’s eyes are opened to a future he never could have envisioned for himself— one that includes the reappearance of his first love, Alexis. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. Together with Alexis, Malik discovers a lot beneath the surface at feuding covens and magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries.

In a wholly unique saga of family, history and community, Malik must embrace his legacy to save what’s left of his old family as well as his new one. Exploring the roots and secrets that connect us in an unforgettable contemporary setting, this heart-pounding fantasy series opener is a rich tapestry of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotion.

My Review

Blood at the Root has been on my reading list since it came out. I’ve seen some mixed reviews, but obviously nothing that dissuaded me from reading the book. This is a debut novel, and it certainly has some flaws, but I think the author does a lot of things really well.

As a protagonist, Malik has a lot of depth. He’s not perfect. He’s impulsive, quick to anger, and easily distracted by pretty girls. But he’s also passionate, self-disciplined, and smart. He’s survived and overcome trauma, from witnessing a group of assailants attack his mom to being blamed for her death to surviving in foster care. Though he annoyed me sometimes, his character was consistent, his motives made sense, and his choices drove the story forward in believable ways.

The book has lots going on. There’s the whole magic system, with some scenes devoted to showing how Black people with magic altered history. The magic users are members of different tribes and societies, so some scenes reveal those. There’s good and bad magic, some of which can cause great harm to the user. There’s a plot to find a powerful artifact that could unleash a nefarious group’s power.

Sometimes it feels like the amount of ground the book needs to cover pushes the characters to the side, especially Taye (Malik’s foster brother) and Alexis, his love interest. In a few scenes, critical things happen quickly (Malik steals a highly guarded document, and someone sees him do it, for example.) and are brushed aside or never revisited.

For the most part, though, this rich story celebrates Black culture and HBCUs. Some characters speak in an AAVE style. The story highlights relationships, like Malik’s with his grandmother, the found family relationship between Malik and his foster brother Taye, and the friendship that assures its participants that someone has their back.

Conclusion

While I think there’s room for development, I love that this book exists. I’d love to see some of the female characters push back on Malik’s tendency to objectify them. I’d also love more development of the younger female characters in general. I love the immersive celebration of Black culture. I’m interested to see where this series goes. The second book, Bones at the Crossroads is already out, so I’ve got that one on my reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. References to sex. A couple of scenes give a vague overview of a sexual encounter. Brief reference to a girl being a victim of human trafficking.

Spiritual Content
Characters have the ability to perform magic. References to Hoodoo and Vodun. References to Christianity. Within the magic world, there is good/safe magic and forbidden/bane magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Descriptions of death and injury from magic battles. Brief reference to human trafficking. Children have been going missing.

Drug Content
Teens attend a party where a drunk fight breaks out.

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: Carnival Fantástico by Angela Montoya

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

Carnival Fantástico
Angela Montoya
Joy Revolution
Published February 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Carnival Fantástico

An unputdownable romantasy following a young woman posing as fortune-teller at a magical traveling carnival, where the handsome boy who once broke her heart resurfaces and warns her that carnival is more sinister than it appears.

Welcome to the Carnival Fantástico, a spectacle of magic and mischief, and the perfect haven for a runaway. Using her tricks and razor-sharp wit, Esmeralda becomes the carnival’s resident fortune-teller, aiming for the lead role in the Big Top Show. Success would mean freedom from her former employer, the commander of the King’s army.

Ignacio has defected from the army and is on the hunt for evidence of his father’s corruption. But the last thing he expects to find on his father’s trail of lies is the only girl he’s ever loved, spinning false fortunes at a traveling carnival.

Perhaps fortune has thrown them together for a reason. They strike a deal: she’ll help him expose his father if he helps her secure the main act. But old feelings don’t die easily, and the commander’s secret isn’t the only thing they’ll need to confront.

My Review

I really enjoyed the story world in this novel. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the magic at the carnival. Wanting to understand where the magic came from, and whether it was good or bad kept me turning pages. The carnival itself reminded me a little bit more of Hotel Magnifique than Caraval, though Carnival Fantástico has some similarities to both. The romance dominates this story, which makes sense for a romantasy novel.

Periodically, notes Esmerelda and Ignacio exchanged in the past appear, shedding light on their connection. Before long, it becomes obvious that they’ve had a misunderstanding. They do eventually confront some truths from their pasts, but it takes a long time for them to question what they believe happened, even though they both based some of their understanding of events on messages from someone they both agree is untrustworthy. It requires a little suspension of disbelief, but I think it’s also supposed to suggest that the person who misled them has more power than they realize.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this one, and it made me want to go back and reread some of the other magical circus-type stories that I’ve read before. If you like Caraval or magic circus stories with a strong romantic thread, definitely take a look at this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague references to characters having had sex in the past.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. References to kidnapping, imprisonment, and enslavement. Brief descriptions of accidental injuries. Brief, scary descriptions of a powerful entity harming someone.

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: Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alechia Dow

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Until the Clock Strikes Midnight
Alechia Dow
Feiwel & Friends
Published February 3, 2026

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About Until the Clock Strikes Midnight

The Good Place meets the Brandy version of Cinderella in Until the Clock Strikes Midnight, a cozy, romantic fantasy from award-winning author Alechia Dow.

Darling is the most talented—and unusual—Guardian to get a chance at winning the coveted once-in-a-generation Mortal Outcome Council mentorship. Getting the spot would mean having the opportunity to shape the future happiness of all mortal realms—if she succeeds at her first assignment, Lucy Addlesberg. Darling thinks it’ll be an easy razzle-dazzle job… until she actually meets Lucy. Her life is a complete mess, from her failing bookshop in her downtrodden village to her doomed flirtation with the princess of Lumina. But if there’s one thing Darling’s good at, it’s a makeover.

Calamity is the most talented—and arrogant—Misfortune of his class. It’s his job to save mortals from their own terrible decisions made in the pursuit of the mythical “Happily Ever After.” When Calam is granted a shot at the Mortal Outcome Council mentorship, he thinks his dreams are finally coming true. But first, he must pass the test. It should be easy—Lucy Addlesberg has been unfortunate for years. All he has to do is continue her string of bad luck so she can finally come to terms with reality and settle for a safer, more logical path in life. Yet when he arrives, he finds that Lucy has a Guardian assigned to her too—a chipper overachiever who is as colorful as the magic pouring from her glittery wand.

To thwart each other, Darling and Calam insert themselves into Lucy’s life posing as a betrothed couple. As they try to guide her down what they each see as the best path for her, they start questioning their roles and ultimately what they truly want for themselves… and if those feelings of loathing they have for each other might actually be something more like love.

My Review

Darling had me on page one. I found her so relatable and her perspective so much fun to read. The story is predominantly set in a bookshop – another win, as far as I’m concerned! I also enjoyed the chemistry between Darling and Calamity. It felt present without dominating the story. I liked watching them figure one another out. I loved how they both fell in love with the town and the bookstore.

Darling takes medication to manage her bipolar disorder. She is very aware of how missing her pill impacts her health. The author could have created a more magical treatment for Darling, but I actually really appreciate that she presented a daily pill right in the midst of this whimsical, magical story. It was like a quiet statement that taking medication doesn’t inhibit the magic. It was also a reminder to readers that taking medication doesn’t make someone deficient in some way. Even a fairy needs to take medicine to support her health.

I liked the pace of the romance in the book. I especially like the balance between Darling and Calamity’s developing feelings and Lucy and her love interest’s romantic arc.

If you’re looking for a mental health-positive fantasy packed with whimsy and drizzled with romance, definitely check this one out. I’ve enjoyed all of Dow’s books, so I’ll take this moment to say that if your taste runs more toward sci-fi than fantasy, be sure to check out her earlier books: The Sound of Stars, The Kindred, and A Song of Salvation.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Very infrequent use of profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Reference to sex.

Spiritual Content
Darling and Calamity have the ability to do some magic. Fairies and other magical beings exist in this story world.

Violent Content
A few characters bully and/or try to manipulate others.

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 Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi

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The Swan’s Daughter
Roshani Chokshi
Wednesday Books
Published January 6, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

The Swan’s Daughter

In this lush and romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.

To find love is a curse …

Prince Arris knows that marriage means murder. Thanks to a poorly worded wish to a sea witch, all one needs to rule the Isle of Malys is the heart and hand of the kingdom’s heir. Historically, this has been construed quite literally.

Thus, Arris expects that the day after his marriage and murder he will wake up as a sentient tree alongside the rest of his predecessors. His only chance at a long life is finding true and lasting love. When Arris’s parents announce a tournament of brides to compete for his hand and heart, a slew of eligible, lovely and (possibly murderous) bachelorettes make their way to Rathe Castle. Amidst glittering balls in ozorald caves, strolls through menageries of daydream trees and pearl crocodiles, tea time on glass boats and kisses that leave his head spinning, Arris cannot tell who is here out of love for him…or lust for power.

Until he meets Demelza.

As a veritas swan, Demelza’s song wrings out the truth. Forced into hiding, Demelza strikes a deal. Arris will provide her with safekeeping in exchange for her truth-telling song to sort through his potential brides.

While Arris is used to dodging death threats and Demelza is accustomed to fighting for her voice to be heard, to survive the tournament of brides requires a different kind of bravery. And perhaps the bravest thing one can do is not merely protect one’s life, but find the courage to chase a life worth living.

My Review

LOOK AT ME READING THE BOOK I PRE-ORDERED IN A TIMELY MANNER. I cannot believe I missed all announcements about this book last year. What rock was I living under? I’m glad I heard about it in time to pre-order a copy. I’ve been a fan of Roshani Chokshi’s books, especially her young adult titles, since her debut. Knowing she had a new young adult fantasy book coming out this year was super exciting.

The book starts out a little bit slowly, but don’t be fooled. The setup showing her parents’ romantic relationship does some heavy lifting in terms of immersing us in the whimsical story world. I loved all the weird magical elements and complex relationships. The story stays in a lighthearted fantasy tone, but it has some teeth to it, too.

I loved Demelza and Arris. She’s smart and anxious. He’s romantic and imaginative. I like that they stay true to those qualities even as they get to know one another. Part of the story is figuring out whether two people so different could have a sustainable romance. Demelza’s friends are great, too. I laughed so much at some of the things that happened with them.

Reading this book was a very welcome escape for me, which I really appreciated. If you are looking for a fairytale-like story that isn’t a retelling, definitely check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
List.

Romance/Sexual Content
List.

Spiritual Content
List.

Violent Content
List.

Drug Content
List.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I pre-ordered a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

MMGM Review: The Aftermyth by Tracy Wolff

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

The Aftermyth (The Aftermyth #1)
Tracy Wolff
Aladdin
Published February 3, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Aftermyth

In a world ruled by the tenets of Greek mythology, one girl’s fate is more than it appears in the first book in a new dark academia fantasy middle grade series from #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crave series Tracy Wolff.

What’s your myth?

Penelope Weaver has spent her whole life preparing to attend Anaximander’s Academy, where students learn how to bring to life the stories of Greek mythology as well as discover the Greek god whose principles they most embody. Penelope knows she’s an Athena—all smart, practical, and rule-following girls who take part in stories that matter are Athenas.

But when Penelope and her twin brother Paris arrive at Anaximander’s, it appears fate has other plans. Penelope isn’t placed with Athena but with students who are anything but practical and who prefer parties to rules. And that’s just the beginning. She’s given the world’s worst muse, her assigned tasks feel impossible, and the magic of Anaximander’s is overwhelming. Not to mention, there are two very different boys making her new life even more confusing.

But as things go from bad to dangerously worse, one thing becomes in a world where everything is fated to happen a certain way, some stories need to be rewritten. As the world around her shifts and cracks, Penelope is asked to forget everything she thought she knew to help create a better story…even if that changes every plan and breaks every rule.

My Review

Since this book is set at a magic school centered around Greek mythology, I feel like comparisons to the Percy Jackson series are inevitable. Other than those themes, though, I didn’t find myself thinking of that series much as I read this one.

I really appreciate the way the author set up this story. Penelope is from a family who were all in the Athena house, so she expects to continue the family tradition at school. When she doesn’t, she resists fitting in with her new classmates, even though, to observant readers, she does have some traits that show why she belongs there.

That part of the story, where Penelope wrestles with her family’s expectations (and her own) versus her true personality and character, was really nicely done. It made me think a lot about how family culture shapes us, and how important it is for us to discover where our true interests and talents lie, which can be challenging from within a dominant family culture.

I also appreciated that Penelope learns about the value of friendship. She learns to trust her instincts, ask questions, and not accept things at face value. All good lessons. The way things roll out in the story, I found myself putting the clues together alongside Penelope, which made for an engaging reading experience.

Though this series opener is a bit long (more than 400 pages), the chapters are short, and the fast-paced storytelling makes it feel like a quick read. I’m curious to see where the series will go next.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
In the story, the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses is real, and students who attend Anaximander’s school receive a (supernatural) gift and mentorship from a muse as they continue their education.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Snakes threaten characters in one scene.

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.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny by Caroline Bonin

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A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny
Caroline Bonin
Feiwel & Friends
Published January 13, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny

This cozy fantasy romance combines magic, college life, and first love into a sweetly brewed and delicious read about a girl roped into investigating a company’s dangerous product!

Dani Lionet is no stranger to working hard. But now she’s attending her dream university, and must manage classes, shifts at the local cafe, and maintaining her partial scholarship—all while trying to keep her unique ability under wraps. That way, no one else can take advantage of it like her parents used to.

So when a visiting professor calls Dani out on her ability, she’s terrified. Yet, it seems Professor Silva just wants to pay her to use it to help investigate a soon-to-be-released lucid dreaming product with horrible side effects. Dani is hesitant, but she needs the money, and it would help her new friend who was part of the product’s clinical trials. Meanwhile, she has a swoony distraction in Kass, her endearingly cute new regular at work.

But then Silva’s plan evolves into stealing the formula. Can Dani help with this “group project,” learn to embrace her ability, and get to know Kass? Or will it all fall apart?

My Review

I really enjoyed the magical college atmosphere of this book. It’s set in the real world, but with magical abilities and disciplines. The main characters attend a magical college, which I love as a concept. Dani also works at a coffee shop, which added even more cozy vibes.

My favorite thing about the book is how well all the different elements integrate into the story. Truthfully, I’d call the romance part of the book more of a subplot compared to the heist/group project that Dani and her friends commit to. I love that Dani’s romantic relationship doesn’t eclipse her other friendships. The story strikes a great balance, showing Dani falling head over heels while still anchoring her in other relationships, in part because she’s on this heist team and they have a tight deadline.

Dani has an unusual magical gift, which she feels ashamed of early on in the story. As the book progresses, though, she learns to think about her ability differently. Her feelings were so relatable. How often do we have a weird talent that seems useless or embarrassing? It takes courage and effort to reframe how we feel about that stuff, and her journey with that was really cool.

I almost wish this book had come out in November, since the story wraps up at Christmas. It would have been a really fun one to read leading up to the holidays. That said, I think it works perfectly as a cozy story to read on a chilly day or evening while bundled up with a mug of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.

If you’re looking for a wintry, magical heist in a college setting with a strong romance subplot, definitely put A Barista’s Guide to Love and Larceny on your reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 15 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can do magic. One character has fae ancestry.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. A few scenes show characters trapped in their nightmares, acting out what happens in their dreams.

Drug Content
Teens drink alcohol at a bar and at a party.

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.