By Piranha T.

“The exile of the princes of Lacharra didn’t begin with swords or spells. It began inside the castle kitchen with a quest for cloves.
It began with me.”
                  -from The Flight of Swans by Sarah McGuire

​When the King of Lacharra returns to the castle with a pale-haired woman without a name and eyes full of deception, only twelve-year-old Princess Andaryn doesn’t fall to the enchantments she weaves about the royal family. And when Ryn defies her, hoping in the doing to free her family from the Queen’s devious power, it instead gives her the chance to kill Ryn's six older brothers under false pretenses.

In desperation, Ryn makes the only bargain the Queen is willing to strike. She will be silent for six years—one for each of her brothers—if she allows them to go free.

And the Queen does set them free, but in the form of six black swans. They will regain their human forms only on the night of the full moon, and, after six years, will remain that way forever.

Only Ryn knows what the Queen has done, and she is unable to tell the story to any other. As the years pass and she travels across the land, she is pursued by the Queen’s fearsome Hunters and she herself pursues what she hopes will be a way to save her brothers. But as she learns more about the curse, she begins to wonder: who is the Queen, really?

The Flight of Swans is an effortless, brilliant fantasy novel. Based off the fairy tale Six Swans, this is one of my favorite fairy-tale retellings, adhering to the original story while expanding in unexpected directions. Sarah McGuire crafts a mysterious, multilayered landscape and world, with unusual magic, interesting history, and intriguing creatures. The Queen herself is a mystery who kept me wondering until the end, with her strange history and cunning mind. And Ryn is a courageous, bold protagonist who won’t stop at anything to save her brothers, who reminded me of heroines like Kara Westfall and Ella from Ella Enchanted. This book was engaging and fast-paced, despite taking place over a long period of time, with a twisting plot which kept me guessing. I highly recommend The Flight of Swans to readers ages twelve and up who love awesome main characters, complex worlds, and brilliant retellings of fairy tales! 

​By guest contributor FalconX, age 12

The Scroll of a Thousand Prayers, an ancient scroll with mysterious powers, is coveted by many. A thousand years ago, magical and unspeakable things happened. A new age is dawning. And now, many different forces, both good and bad, are after the scroll and the power it can give whoever holds it in their hands.

Yumeko was raised by monks in the Silent Winds temple. As a half kitsune, half human, she has natural instincts to be tricky like the fox she shares DNA with. Her skills with illusion and mischief constantly exasperate the monks. She has trained her whole life to pretend that she is human. But one day, her peaceful isolated world in the mountains comes to a fiery, violent end.

Kage Tatsumi is a trained and dangerous samurai, fighting demons day and night for the unseen masters of the Shadow Clan. He always puts duty first, no matter what it costs him. When he receives orders from the very top of his Clan to retrieve the scroll, it means endangering his life for this crucial mission.

Yumeko is carrying the temple's most prized possession as she flees the burning site. A piece of the scroll. When Tatsumi and Yumeko meet by chance, a skeptical alliance is formed. Tatsumi doesn't know of Yumeko's secrets. Yumeko is unaware of Tatusumi's true nature and mission.

​In this thrilling tale of demons and deception, Julie Kagawa weaves together a brilliant and heart-pounding fantasy adventure novel. It will have you turning page after page deep into the night. I liked how it embodied a part of ancient Japan in its complicated web of legends and monsters. It gave it a slightly historical edge, so the story wasn't completely fanciful. I would recommend this to middle-grade readers who have a thirst for demon-slaying and secrets. You won't want to put this book down as you follow the pair on their journey, gaining allies and enemies. This is the first book in a series, so be prepared for the cliff-hanger and plot twist at the end.

By Super Kitty

As one of the Nameless, Coin has one goal in life: to survive. In the city of Seriden, citizens are divided into three distinct classes (one royal, one working-class, and the Nameless), and the Nameless are at the bottom of the hierarchy, often living on the streets and stealing to support themselves. They aren’t even granted official names, instead choosing words which they think fit them. Coin is unusually talented at cons and pickpocketing, and like many Nameless, she uses her talents to get by.

When the old king of Seriden dies and his heir doesn’t immediately come forward, the city goes into an uproar. At first, Coin isn’t concerned—after all, since they’re not official citizens, a Nameless could never inherit the throne. That’s when she discovers the black crown tattoo that has appeared on her arm. The tattoo passed down to each ruler of Seriden.

It’s impossible, but before she knows it, Coin has been pulled into the complicated political world of the Royals, calling her past and identity as Nameless into question. She has six weeks before the Assassin’s Festival, where she will be expected to pass the tattoo to someone deemed more suitable for the role of queen. But danger is closing in around Seriden—Nameless are disappearing, Royals are feuding, and an enemy is closer anyone expects. And Coin might be the only person able to stop it.  

All eyes are on Coin as she navigates the six weeks leading to the Assassin’s Festival—the impossible, rising, Nameless queen.

Action-packed, original, and highly entertaining, Nameless Queen kept me guessing until the final page. Coin is a brilliant protagonist—a skilled fighter, quick thinker, and loyal friend, always full of clever quips—and the quirky cast of supporting characters balance her excellently. I also enjoyed the vivid worldbuilding and culture, and how although the story was often dark, it’s also—thanks to Coin’s hilarious sense of humor—really funny. Overall, I would highly recommend Nameless Queen to fantasy lovers ages 12 and up.

By Piranha T.

The first time fifteen-year-old Maya Hammond sees the man who didn’t smile, she’s on a train on the way to visit her grandparents in Maine, and he’s carefully watching another woman—a woman who looks afraid. Maya has always had intuition no one else does, and when she sees the woman, she knows she must help her. When she walks past, the woman slips a mysterious book into Maya’s bag—and the next time she looks, both the man and the woman have disappeared.

Maya soon discovers that the book is known as the Book of Everything. It can give advice, spirit people through time and space, but most important of all, it tells the truth. The Book of Cinnial, sent long ago to battle the Book of Everything, spreads lies and discord wherever it can. So far, the Book of Everything usually triumphs—but if it falls into the hands of the opposing group, the world would fall apart.

Maya meets Andy, a boy from the 1970s, when the Book of Everything sends her back in time. Then she and Andy are thrown into another world, known as Ilyria, where two dukes are battling for rule, an ancient and magical forest is in danger, and nefarious forces are attempting to make a stand. There, Maya will uncover secrets and gain new powers—but will it be enough to save not one, but two Books of Everything?

Maya and the Book of Everything was an excellent fantasy. Laurie Graves wrote a well-rounded plot which kept surprising me with twists I never would have anticipated. Maya was a clever and interesting heroine who I absolutely loved. The themes on books and reading were also fun, reminding me (although slightly younger than this book) of Finding Serendipity. I would highly recommend Maya and the Book of Everything to lovers of fantasy and complex plots ages twelve and up.

A note from Piranha T: Click here to check out our interview with Laurie Graves! 

By Contributing Reviewer FalconX, Age 11

Thirteen-year-old Ellie Charles is the prettiest, smartest, has the best fashion sense, and is the most popular kid at Lincoln Heights Middle School. She used to be best friends with a girl named Marley, but that fell apart after she moved away. Marley was sweet and understanding, didn't care about fashion, and always knew the right thing to say to comfort Ellie about her parents' frequent fights. Her parent's divorce when she was nine turned Ellie bitter, and she taught herself a lesson she believed was the way to go: The more people feared her, the more people would respect her. Ellie is the head of the most important councils, committees, and clubs at the school, but she uses her power to bully, manipulate, and reduce people to tears; all in order for her to dominate even more of the school. Then, on the night of the big winter dance, Ellie has a terrifying accident, after which she meets a girl, seemingly a ghost, dressed all in black. The "ghost girl" forces Ellie to go through her past, present, and future, reliving the things she has done wrong and the things she will do wrong. The worst memory was not her parents' divorce, but her fight and falling apart with Marley, her former best friend.

Ghosted is a suspenseful, well written book that describes Ellie's past life in amazing detail. Leslie Margolis combines the heartbreak and bitterness of a divorce, realizing what you've done wrong, and what it feels like to have all the power and adoration at your school. I liked this book especially because it was told from the bully's point of view, rather than the other way around, which it usually is. It shows that even though on the outside, bullies seem tough, mean; and like nothing can stop them, but in reality they are scared, or acting that way because of an incident in the past, or maybe because the bullies themselves are being bullied. I would recommend this book to kids age twelve and up, who are looking for a good mystery with a startling reveal at the end.

By Contributing Reviewer FalconX, Age 11

Everyone knows that the Crown Prince Sebastian is hosting a ball to look for the perfect bride. Young ladies squeal over invitations, shops are selling out of ball gowns, and seamstresses are working day and night to keep up with the demand. Frances, a seamstress, is asked to design a dress for Lady Sophia, who is in need of a dress for the ball. However, Lady Sophia is in a bad mood, and she says something to Frances: "Make me look like the devil's wench."

Frances, intrigued by this idea, designs a daringly short black dress of thin chiffon and lace, unlike the colorful sweeping skirts of the other ladies at the ball, and her dress is noticed by all. Including the Crown Prince Sebastian, hidden behind a curtain. Secretly, the prince dreams of wearing something like that.

Frances is offered the chance of a lifetime by Sebastian's personal assistant. She doesn't realize the person she's designing for is a boy, much less the Crown Prince. During the day, Sebastian plays the charming prince, finding a bride, while at night, he goes out in secret in dresses and a wig; and Paris knows him as Lady Crystallia, the "woman" whose dresses and fashion sense is admired everywhere.

Frances is one of the only two people that know Sebastian's secret. But as she keeps designing dresses for the prince, it gets harder and harder to keep his secret. How long can she keep it quiet for her friend before someone finds out?

The Prince and the Dressmaker was a beautifully illustrated graphic novel full of vivid pictures and amazing facial expressions. Jen Wang spins a tale of friendship, courage, and the confidence to embrace one's identity. Frances and Sebastian are characters you will never forget, making you cry and laugh all throughout the book. It mixes suspense, mystery, and just plain fun into the story, making it an unforgettable read. I loved how well the characters' personalities were displayed; through the illustrations, actions, and way they talked. This book explains that no matter who you are, you are free to dress, to act like who you want to be.

I would recommend this book to readers age twelve and up, who enjoy a good, sweet tale set in Paris.

By Piranha T.

Sabriel is used to danger. Her father, the necromancer Abhorsen, has taught her such things from a young age. She knows how to use the seven bells which are the root of the craft of necromancers, has journeyed through Death, and bound the creatures who lurk there. But despite this all, she hasn’t grown up in the magical and mysterious Old Kingdom, where she was born. Instead, she attends school in the modern realm of Ancelstierre, as far from anything magical as it is possible to get.

But Sabriel is pulled into an ancient conflict when Abhorsen disappears. Now, she must journey into the Old Kingdom, overcome dangerous creatures, and brave trials which she has never even imagined. And over her journey, she discovers that her father’s disappearance may just be part of a bigger plan—a plan orchestrated by one of the most powerful, nefarious beings she has ever encountered.
​
Sabriel is an engrossing read, starring a capable, clever, and believable heroine. This book, widely acknowledged as a modern classic, is set in a well-developed fantasy world with intricate, dangerous magic and a plot with mysteries that keep you wondering at the ending. That said, Sabriel is a young adult book, and though it’s amazing when you’re old enough, there are parts which may be disturbing for younger readers. Because of that, I would highly recommend it (and the rest of the series) to high fantasy fans ages twelve and up.

By Piranha T.

Rose is the youngest of eight children, subject of many of her mother’s superstitions. Despite what her family would prefer, she has always loved to explore. She has always dreamed of a white bear who would explore the northern regions of the world with her.

But when such a bear comes, he has a different request. In exchange for her family’s well-being, Rose must come with him and leave the world she has always known. When she goes with him, Rose discovers a world of ice and snow, where magic is real—and enchantments can bind a life. The bear has secrets of his own, and Rose’s choices will decide his fate.

East is a retelling of the classic fairytale East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Unlike many other books like this, Edith Pattou doesn’t completely change the classic tale. Instead, she adds to it, weaving the story’s threads in unexpected directions while still holding to the normal course of the story. Yet at the same time, it’s much more multilayered, with all the characters seeming real. Rose is an exceptional heroine who I could completely relate to. Many of the things which might seem rash or odd in the original fairytale are explained fully, and though a part of me knew a few things weren’t great decisions, I could understand why Rose did them.
​
This book is set in Norway, with many of the names Norwegian, but it wasn’t confusing to me. Likewise, although there are several different narrations in this book, it didn’t feel awkward or confusing. This is an excellent fantasy novel which I would recommend for ages twelve and up.

By Contributing Reviewer FalconX, Age 11

Orïsha was a kingdom that hummed with magic. Different people possessed different powers and talents that commanded the elements. That all changed. Zélie Adebola's mother was a maji. This meant that Zélie's mother was magical; and she could summon souls. Under a ruthless king's order, all maji were killed and hung from trees to display to the world the true death of magic. Zélie's mother was among them. No matter what Zélie does, her mother will never return. Then, Zélie's powers begin to manifest. She must keep it a secret. The princess, the daughter of the king responsible of the murder of magic, embarks on a quest with Zélie. Zélie's brother Tzain, the princess, and Zélie set out on a quest to bring magic back. However, the crown prince (the princess's brother) is onto them, and catching up. He has one goal: kill Zélie and kill magic. Zélie is in more danger than she thinks. The crown prince is capable of hunting them down and killing them quickly, but not with Zélie's powers. Tzain tries to protect the princess and Zélie, but they are no match for an army of trained soldiers. Even with Zélie's newly manifested powers. But perhaps the most challenging thing for Zélie is suppressing her growing feelings for the supposed enemy. Will they succeed in bringing magic back to Orisha and returning it to what it was always meant to be? Or will they fail and magic will be lost forever?

This book was so intriguing, good, and cleverly written. I picked it up and could not put it down. Tomi Adeyemi weaves a vibrant and imaginative world. Join Zélie and her companions on a quest to bring the true Orïsha back. I love the plot twist at the end. It is not at all what you expect. The story is rich and full of interesting side plots and different perspectives. By the time I'd gotten the book in my hands, it had been recommended to me by at least eight different people. I love how Tomi Adeyemi makes you feel like you are standing next to the characters, that you are fighting and celebrating and mourning right along with them. This is the first book in a trilogy that the second and third book has not yet come out. I would recommend this book to grades 6-9 because there are very violent parts. 

By Super Kitty

In The Language of Thorns, Leigh Bardugo weaves together well-known fairy tales and original ones in a collection of beautifully illustrated short stories. Full of twists and enchantments, witchcraft and trickery, traditional lore blends with creative new elements to create a satisfying set of tales perfect for fans of books involving dark magic, mysterious characters, and powerful sorcery.  
​
I always like seeing how authors incorporate threads from well-known legends into their own retellings, and this was no exception. Sara Kipin’s stunning artwork adds to the magic as well, unfolding along with the stories in colorful borders around each page. Set in the same world as the Shadow and Bone Trilogy and Six of Crows Duology, there are certain aspects of The Language of Thorns that readers of the author’s other stories will appreciate; however, it can also be enjoyed without reading the previous books. Captivating and clever, I would highly recommend it for ages twelve and up.

By Piranha T.

The daughter of the famous warrior Alanna the Lioness, Alianne (known as Aly) has inherited none of her mother’s dreams of knighthood. She has a different passion: she wants to become a spy. It seems, in some ways, a likely dream. Her father is the head of the realm’s spies, and has taught her secrets of the trade from a young age. But he refuses to let her become one, insisting that it’s much too dangerous. Soon, though, Aly gets her chance—though it’s not where she expects it. She is captured by pirates and sold into slavery in the Copper Isles, islands known for political tensions between the native people and those who invaded three hundred years before, tensions that are ready to break.

At first, all Aly can think of is trying to escape, even after she has been sold at auction to a noble family known as the Balitangs. But she gets her chance without having to risk her life. The patron god of the isles, known as Kyprioth, offers her a deal. If she can protect the two oldest girls of the Balitang family over the summer, he’ll get her out on the Autumnal equinox.

But the deal isn’t as simple as it seems. Kyprioth, often called ‘the Trickster’, has his own plans for not just Aly, but everyone in the Isles as well. Rebellion stirs among the natives, who have been oppressed and enslaved for generations. Aly gets her chance to test her skills as a spy—but at the same time, she must test her life.
​
Trickster’s Choice (and its sequel, Trickster’s Queen) is an excellent, well-plotted book. The Copper Isles offer a rich setting full of hidden conspiracies and well-concealed secrets. Tamora Pierce has written three quartets also set in this world (including the Song of the Lioness Quartet and the Protector of the Small Quartet), which I would highly recommend, but Trickster’s Choice was different from them, because Aly was different from those heroines. She is a funny, sarcastic, and clever character who won’t let anything stop her, with the personality of a spy. I would recommend Trickster’s Choice to readers ages thirteen and up.  

By Super Kitty

In the medieval kingdom of Tortall, girls are forbidden to become knights, instead learning to be court ladies, getting sent to convents, or perhaps training as mages. Alanna of Trebond, though, has never thought much of such rules. When she and her twin brother Thom turn ten, their father arranges for them to be sent away from the family’s fiefdom for the standard forms of further education: Alanna to a convent, and Thom to become a page at the palace. But Thom prefers magic to swordplay, while Alanna secretly fears her Gift. So, they do the only thing they can think of. They switch places.

Disguised as a boy, Alanna works her way through the various levels of training knighthood requires. But though she tries to blend in, her fate is far from ordinary, and there are dangers lurking which could destroy her world—dangers closer to her than anyone realizes.

Full of action and twists, villains and sorcery, the Song of the Lioness quartet follows Alanna’s journey, from a fiery young girl to the legendary hero she is destined to become.

There’s a lot of things I enjoyed about these books, but first, I just love Alanna. She feels totally human—brave, determined, and notoriously hot-tempered. The supporting cast is also excellent, from Alanna’s friends and teachers to her worst enemies, and the stories get increasingly harder to put down, eventually building to an immensely satisfying climax. Over the course of the quartet, Alanna goes from ten years old to her early twenties, and although she stays the same wonderful character, the stories do get darker and more ‘young adult’ as she ages. Overall, I would recommend the Song of the Lioness quartet to readers ages 12+ who like strong heroines, high fantasy, and action-packed adventures.  

By Super Kitty

​Sixteen-year-old Alina Starkov seems ordinary in every way, no different than any of the others orphaned from the Fold and drafted into the Ravkan army. But when she discovers that she possesses an unbelievable power, one heard of only in legend, everything changes. She is brought to the royal court, leaving her best friend Mal and the only world she has ever known behind as she trains with the strange and powerful Darkling, who believes she is key to winning the war and destroying an evil which has haunted Ravka for generations.

This is one of those books which I just couldn’t stop reading. Alina is a great character, and the world she is part of is incredibly well developed and interesting. This is the first book in the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, all of which are complex, engrossing, and really, really good. An excellent read for fans of high fantasy and vivid characters, I would recommend Shadow and Bone for ages 13+.

Note: After reading Shadow and Bone, we read some of Leigh Bardugo's other books set in the same world, which include Six of Crows and The Language of Thorns. 

​By Piranha T.
 
Tal Graile-Rerem faces a difficult choice. Unless he finds a new Sunstone, he cannot travel to the spirit land, Aenir, and bind a Spiritshadow on the Day of Ascension. It has always been the way of things to do this, ever since a veil of shadow was created over the world, upheld by the seven towers of the castle. But his mother is sick, and his father has disappeared, leaving Tal to care for his two younger siblings. And it hardly helps that Tal has somehow attracted the dislike of a powerful man called Shadowmaster Sushin.
 
Before long, Tal’s quest reaches far beyond simply finding a Sunstone. He discovers a snow-wreathed land beneath the castle and there meets an Icecarl girl named Milla. They will learn secrets which have been hidden for centuries and discover the truth about an ancient war, a war to which not all have yet admitted defeat.
 
The Seventh Tower series was an exciting, action-filled fantasy saga filled with entertaining characters, unexpected twists, and unforgettable revelations. Each of the six books had something new and surprising. They would be enjoyed by readers of Septimus Heap by Angie Sage, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I’d highly recommend the Seventh Tower series to readers ages ten and up, because there were some darker and more violent parts.

By Piranha T.

Sixteen-year-old Seraphina Dombegh is hardly like others in the land of Goredd, and not just because of her extraordinary musical talent. Her mother was a saarantras—a dragon in human form—and although the Goreddi-dragon treaty signed forty years ago frames the two species as allies, intolerance remains rampant between them. Seraphina only keeps this secret by remaining out of the spotlight, but when she is apprenticed to the court musician, Viridius, this becomes much more difficult. Especially as, with the anniversary of the treaty approaching, tensions rise between dragons and humans.

Crown Prince Rufus is killed in a mysteriously draconian fashion. The leader of the dragons comes to Goredd, but perhaps is therefore placed in terrible danger. Sightings of strange shapes in the night come from exiled knights. As more and more pieces of the puzzle begin to be uncovered, Seraphina must join forces with Prince Lucian Kiggs, the perceptive captain of the guard, on a quest not just to save Goredd, but to accept herself.

Seraphina is a multilayered, engrossing fantasy novel full of well-defined characters and intricate worldbuilding. Seraphina is one of my favorite main characters, equal parts sympathetic and flawed, many-layered and understandable. Her emotional and internal journey is what makes this book so beautiful and strong: it’s about more than dragons and court intrigue, it’s about a girl who is, despite her mixed ancestry, deeply and beautifully human. Her choices and decisions make this story much more than it might have been otherwise.

That said, Seraphina is one of my favorite books for other reasons, too. Goredd and the surrounding lands (though fleshed out more fully in the sequel, Shadow Scale) feel very real; the same can be said for all the supporting characters, who are unique and interesting. The plot, similar to a mystery, is full of twists, court intrigue, and unexpected realizations; it reminds me a little of books such as Shadow and Bone and The Candle and the Flame. Overall, I highly recommend Seraphina to readers ages twelve and up looking for a strong heroine, a complex plot, and an engrossing story which you won’t want to leave.