By Nico and Lina
It's hard to believe we're already halfway through our top books of 2022! Today we're highlighting two of our favorite middle-grade fantasy novels that we read in the past year; check back tomorrow for two more brilliant reads.
The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins
I adored Hayley Chewins's first novel, The Turnaway Girls; full of magic, atmosphere, and thoughtful, feminist undertones, it was practic-ally an automatic Book of the Year back in 2020. The Sisters of Stray-garden Place, her second book, utterly blew me away.
From the first page, Chewins's immersive, expansive prose pulled me into an atmospheric world full of floating trees and silver grass and strange magic as twined with mys-tery as its heroine, Mayhap. There was nothing predictable or cliche about this story, in the best possible way; each word was unexpected and beautiful, each twist startling, each description stunningly crafted and unique.
Mayhap--indeed, all the characters--shine so brightly, and the plot, which kept quite honestly surprising me, felt fully driven by their feelings and choices: choices that were not always perfect, but which reflected their dreams, fears, experiences, and desires so deeply that every character, every sentence, of this book feels utterly alive.
The Sisters of Straygarden Place is relatively short when it comes to page count, but its depth could belong to a much longer book. It's now been eight months since I last read this book, and I still find myself recalling its quiet beauty. It's a book about magical grass and uncovering secrets, yes--but far more than that, it's about sisterhood and belonging, discovery and love. It's a story for anyone who has ever felt alone, or anyone who wants to feel like they belong. It truly has earned itself a permanent place in my heart, and so I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers ages ten and up.
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud
It's a rare book that has me quite literally laughing out loud for almost the entire book--all while delivering a fast-paced story full of action, danger, and adventure. But The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne managed it several times over, earning it a well-deserved spot in my top ten.
From the opening lines onward (no, seriously--the opening of this book is absolutely hilarious), I was taken off-guard in the best possible way by Scarlett's perfectly executed, sardonic, dry sense of humor, giving the narrative a voice both wholly unique and an utter pleasure to read. I don't often come across books where the protagonist springs fully to life in my mind just from hearing the way she speaks, but Scarlett pulled it off beautifully, and the ingenious personality which she imbued the narrative with helped make the entire book utterly delightful to read.
But giving Scarlett all the credit for her improbably relatable character would be to ignore the other primary character, Albert. They are in many ways polar opposites, with Scarlett alert, driven, and sarcastic where Albert is dreamy, hopeful, and oblivious, and though the sharp contrast between them is a well-trodden trope, Stroud makes the conflicts between them feel unique, blending gratifying authenticity with unrestrained humor.
With clever twists, action, adventure, and an interesting and distinct setting, my interest never lagged--and unlike too many books with utterly brilliant beginnings, all of these things were carried wonderfully through the final page. I highly recommend The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne to readers ages ten and up.
It's hard to believe we're already halfway through our top books of 2022! Today we're highlighting two of our favorite middle-grade fantasy novels that we read in the past year; check back tomorrow for two more brilliant reads.
The Sisters of Straygarden Place by Hayley Chewins
I adored Hayley Chewins's first novel, The Turnaway Girls; full of magic, atmosphere, and thoughtful, feminist undertones, it was practic-ally an automatic Book of the Year back in 2020. The Sisters of Stray-garden Place, her second book, utterly blew me away.
From the first page, Chewins's immersive, expansive prose pulled me into an atmospheric world full of floating trees and silver grass and strange magic as twined with mys-tery as its heroine, Mayhap. There was nothing predictable or cliche about this story, in the best possible way; each word was unexpected and beautiful, each twist startling, each description stunningly crafted and unique.
Mayhap--indeed, all the characters--shine so brightly, and the plot, which kept quite honestly surprising me, felt fully driven by their feelings and choices: choices that were not always perfect, but which reflected their dreams, fears, experiences, and desires so deeply that every character, every sentence, of this book feels utterly alive.
The Sisters of Straygarden Place is relatively short when it comes to page count, but its depth could belong to a much longer book. It's now been eight months since I last read this book, and I still find myself recalling its quiet beauty. It's a book about magical grass and uncovering secrets, yes--but far more than that, it's about sisterhood and belonging, discovery and love. It's a story for anyone who has ever felt alone, or anyone who wants to feel like they belong. It truly has earned itself a permanent place in my heart, and so I wholeheartedly recommend it to readers ages ten and up.
The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne by Jonathan Stroud
It's a rare book that has me quite literally laughing out loud for almost the entire book--all while delivering a fast-paced story full of action, danger, and adventure. But The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne managed it several times over, earning it a well-deserved spot in my top ten.
From the opening lines onward (no, seriously--the opening of this book is absolutely hilarious), I was taken off-guard in the best possible way by Scarlett's perfectly executed, sardonic, dry sense of humor, giving the narrative a voice both wholly unique and an utter pleasure to read. I don't often come across books where the protagonist springs fully to life in my mind just from hearing the way she speaks, but Scarlett pulled it off beautifully, and the ingenious personality which she imbued the narrative with helped make the entire book utterly delightful to read.
But giving Scarlett all the credit for her improbably relatable character would be to ignore the other primary character, Albert. They are in many ways polar opposites, with Scarlett alert, driven, and sarcastic where Albert is dreamy, hopeful, and oblivious, and though the sharp contrast between them is a well-trodden trope, Stroud makes the conflicts between them feel unique, blending gratifying authenticity with unrestrained humor.
With clever twists, action, adventure, and an interesting and distinct setting, my interest never lagged--and unlike too many books with utterly brilliant beginnings, all of these things were carried wonderfully through the final page. I highly recommend The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne to readers ages ten and up.
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