By Ella

When each new Swift is born, the ancient family dictionary is brought out of its glass case to select a name for the newest member of the family—names they’re supposed to live up to. It’s seen as perfectly natural when Phenomena discovers an interest in science. No one bats an eyelash at Candor’s scrupulous honesty.

And Shenanigan Swift? Well, no one expects her to be anything short of a troublemaker.

Which she usually is, of course. But right now, Shenanigan isn’t thinking about her various shortcomings—she’s focused on the upcoming Swift family reunion, during which she’s determined to be the first Swift to find Great-Uncle Vile’s long-lost treasure.

But her plans go awry when there’s a murder attempt on the family Matriarch. Surrounded by Swifts she’s never met and their bevy of enigmatic names, Shenanigan now must train her skills on finding the murderer—before the next victim doesn’t survive.

The Swifts was a brilliant read. I love books with lots of wordplay and quirky humor, and this one was spectacular on both counts, weaving a story so full of cleverness and excitement that I didn’t want it to end. The Swifts are one of the most outrageous and yet utterly believable families I’ve come across in fiction; Shenanigan’s various relatives were all vastly different but eccentric and hilarious in their own ways, and the dynamic between them felt like it perfectly captured the chaotic reality of a gigantic and unusual family. I really loved the characters. Shenanigan was certainly a favorite, with her clever mystery solving and attempts to figure out whether she’s defined by her name, but I truly loved the entire cast; Erf, Maelstrom, and Flora/Fauna were probably my other favorites. Although not central to the storyline and Shenanigan, I also really appreciated how the larger Swift family quietly included queer and nonbinary/trans characters without making a big deal out of it—the normalization truly made me fall even harder for this entire story and family. Lincoln’s writing and the plot is twisty and zany, so full of clever vocabulary and the absolute unexpected that this book was an absolute pleasure to read. This will definitely be one I’ll be rereading in the future—I can’t wait to read the sequel! I highly recommend The Swifts to readers ages ten and up, particularly to anyone who loved The Mysterious Benedict Society but wished it included a murder. 

By Ella

Potosí, 1600s. Spain has established a viceroyalty in one of its newest colonies, Peru. The streets of the city are full of beauty and chaos and danger, hardly the place for two young ladies from the upper class.

But at night, Kiki de Sonza and Ana Lezama de Urinza, daughter and ward of one of Peru’s wealthiest men, trade their voluminous skirts and amenable smiles for daggers wielded with the upmost precision, and venture into the streets—to explore, to protect those who can’t protect themselves, and to experience the brilliant, forbidden love that’s long burgeoned between them.

These two parts of their lives have long been separate: streets by night, skirts by day. But when Kiki’s brother is murdered the night of her engagement announcement, their only hope of finding answers lies on the winding streets of Potosí—where they will either find the truth, or become the murderer’s next victims.

I read and loved the Girl at Midnight series by Melissa Grey years ago, so when I discovered she had a new series, featuring historical adventure, sword-wielding lesbians, and a murder mystery, I immediately knew I had to check it out. Valiant Ladies certainly didn’t disappoint! I loved Kiki and Ana—although I don’t always love books with a prominent romance plotline, both characters were so brilliant that I couldn’t resist rooting for them. With witty dialogue, righteous determination, and an absolutely fabulous dynamic, I didn’t want to put this book down. The historical aspect of Valiant Ladies was also excellent, and I love how the characters never felt like they were solely reflecting modern sensibilities about queer characters or feminism; instead, they all felt wholly alive in the historical setting. I didn’t go into this story expecting its twisting, complex plot, but it more than delivered. Melissa Grey weaves a multilayered, clever mystery full of surprises and quirks that propelled the story forward at a swift and ever-engaging pace. Full of vibrance, fire, and action, I highly recommend Valiant Ladies to lovers of queer romance and historical fiction ages thirteen and up. 

By Ella

Maya and the Lord of Shadows is the third and final book in the Maya and the Rising Dark trilogy; it is preceded by Maya and the Rising Dark and Maya and the Return of the Godlings.

[Look out—there are spoilers ahead for books 1 and 2!]

The veil is breaking. The war with the Lord of Shadows has arrived. And though the celestials think they know what his plans are, Maya isn’t so sure—he’s been one step ahead of them the whole time, and she doesn’t think that’ll change now. Not when underestimating him is the whole reason the Lord of Shadows was able to break through the veil in the first place, something Maya’s still sure is her fault.

With her friends Eli, Frankie, Eleni, and Zeran by her side, Maya sets off to learn the truth about the Lord of Shadows’ plans—and stop him before he destroys the human world. But his deceptions go deeper than she knows, and stopping him may not be possible. Particularly since he’s willing to do whatever it takes.

​Maya and the Lord of Shadows was a fun, fast-paced series closer that left me fully satisfied. I really love all the characters in this series; Barron has mastered the art of quirky character interactions, and they helped this story truly shine. I particularly love the plotting in this series. I don’t usually struggle to figure out where stories are going to go next, but the twists and turns of Maya and the Lord of Shadows often left me without a clue, which made Maya’s consternation about the Lord of Shadows’ plans feel much more convincing. I also really liked the worldbuilding—as in previous installments, Barron creates a palpable contrast between Earth and the celestial’s homes, adding to the feeling of magic in the narrative. I recommend the Maya and the Rising Dark trilogy to readers ages nine and up who like fantasy adventures and satisfying series. 

By Ella

There are stories about the lake, about a world that exists beneath it, about ghosts and odd happenings and mysteries that can’t be solved. No one believes them anymore, of course—the old sign detailing the lakelore is barely legible, and the old tales have become things to laugh at, not to believe. Only Bastián Silvano can find the world under the lake anymore, find the place where water lifts from the surface like butterfly’s wings and reveals a path to the depths below. And Lore Garcia is the only one they’ve ever managed to show it to, though they met so briefly they never even learned each other’s names.

It's been years since they met for the first time—time enough for Bastián to begin sending their worst moments beneath the lake’s surface in paper-mâché alebrijes, and for Lore to do something so terrible they have to leave their old town—even if that doesn’t keep away the memories intent on reminding Lore of all their worst mistakes. But when Lore moves into Bastián’s town and lakelore slips out from beneath the surface of the lake, they must each trust each other with the parts of themselves they’ve worked the hardest to hide.

Having written hundreds of reviews, I have a running shortlist of ones that were nearly impossible to describe—books like Raybearer and Daughter of Smoke and Bone, which I absolutely love but struggle to find words to summarize the plots of. Lakelore surpasses all of them. Encapsulating Anna-Marie McLemore’s gorgeous magical realism at its finest, Lakelore is the story of two nonbinary teens navigating the dangerous, complicated, multifaceted world of their own minds and histories, all while coming to terms with what it means to love yourself. At once ethereal and impossibly grounded in reality, there is so much of this story nearly impossible to put into words—and yet it’s so utterly amazing that I feel like I do it a disservice by not attempting to.

Lakelore is, in one word, stunning. McLemore (who is also the author of some of my other absolute favorite books, such as Blanca and Roja, Wild Beauty, and When the Moon Was Ours) weaves realism and magic together so smoothly with their beautiful writing that the two flow into one another so naturally they feel inseparable; the world they draw with relatively straightforward language is so evocative and gorgeous that I couldn’t help but be absorbed by it. Always thoughtful, reflective, and intentional, the many threads of Lakelore became something incredibly deep beneath McLemore’s deft pen. This book made me feel utterly heard to a degree few others ever have through the power and authenticity of its protagonists’ struggles, and the beauty of their evolving awarenesses of themselves.

​Far too many books become ‘single-issue’; Lore and Bastián, instead, lie at the intersection of many identities—neurodivergence, race, gender—and yet this story never becomes ‘about’ any one of these. Instead, it focuses on the two people behind them, whose nuanced and complex narratives are built far more around who they are, their experiences, and how the world has treated them because of their identities—and, particularly, how they intersect—than simply using those identities as checked-off diversity boxes, creating a pair of protagonists who are refreshingly, beautifully, and sometimes devastatingly real. I can’t think of another book starring two characters who are as complex and human as these two, or who I love quite this much. Deft, magical, and truly incredible, I highly recommend Lakelore to readers ages twelve and up, particularly those who love magical realism and queer, diverse fantasy. 

By Ella

Daisy Thistledown has traveled around the world with her beloved journalist mother. But when her mother disappears and Daisy finds herself alone, on the run from an unknown enemy attempting to steal her dandelion paperweight, she stumbles into a place far more mysterious than any she’s entered before: the Greenwild, a magical pocket of the normal world where Daisy, impossibly, belongs.

Daisy has never lived anywhere long, so when she discovers that the Greenwild might hold the truth about where her mother has gone, she’s more than happy to stay there for a little longer. Surrounded by new things to learn, magical plants, and unexpected friendships, Daisy can almost forget about the enemies hunting her on the other side of the door—and the mysteries about her own life that she finally has the chance to answer. Particularly since her new friends are helping her uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance.

But whoever took Daisy’s mother is still out there. And their next target might be the Greenwild itself.

When I first came across Greenwild, I had a feeling it would be the kind of magical, atmospheric adventure that made me fall in love with middle-grade fantasy to begin with—books like Finding Serendipity, Magyk, and The Dark is Rising. It was everything I hoped it would be! Accompanied by Thomson’s beautiful writing and gorgeous interior illustrations (which are honestly some of my favorites that I’ve come across in MG), the Greenwild sprang to life in my mind, atmospheric and quirky in all the right places. Thomson truly has the knack of creating a fully formed, believable world nestled within our own, and the Greenwild has the perfect balance of the utterly fantastical and details grounded in stunning realism.

I loved the characters. Daisy was a brilliant protagonist, with such a complicated and relatable mix of emotions. The supporting cast was particularly excellent, and watching secrets be revealed and new characters get introduced was utterly delightful. With plenty of twists and clever surprises, I didn’t want to stop reading this book! I highly recommend Greenwild to readers ages ten and up. 

By Ella

​The Notorious Scarlett and Browne is the sequel to The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne, and the second book in an ongoing series. 

Look out--there are spoilers ahead for book one!

For Albert Browne, life is just beginning to get interesting. After spending his life stuck indoors, courtesy of the Faith House's oppressive views on his ability to read minds, he's finally escaped, thanks to Scarlett McCain, a far more experienced outlaw with a sharp tongue and a quick wit. All in all, leading a life of crime is all he could've hoped for and more: he gets to see the world and follow Scarlett on all sorts of interesting adventures. And with his magical skills and Scarlett's clever plans, they're yet to find a stronghold that can outwit them. 

Of course, there are some downsides...such as the nefarious criminal organization pursuing them, who is somehow connected to Scarlett's past. And the Faith House operative, with powers to rival Albert's own, who keeps popping up when least expected. And, of course, a messy ultimatum: either Scarlett and Albert break into a dangerously secure facility, or their friends will get eaten by owls. They might be the land's most infamous outlaws, but even they will be hard-pressed to handle everything before their time is up. 

And if they fail? Well, then, the story of the notorious Scarlett and Browne might just be over. 

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne was one of my favorite books last year, and its sequel lived up to even my highest expectations. Stroud's writing is focused and clever, full of evocative descriptions and turns of phrase--plus an impeccable dose of humor--while keeping the story flying at an impossibly quick pace. I love the setting, as before; a futuristic, post-apocalyptic Britain governed by an organization of corrupt Faith Houses, it's utterly unlike anything I've read before, in the best possible way. The dynamic between Scarlett and Browne is truly brilliant. Full of humor and panache, their exploits are clever and all-absorbing, and although the happy, naive character contrasted with the snarky realist is a relationship I've seen many times before, Stroud makes it not just fresh but hilarious, too. And I'd be remiss not to mention the other characters in this book, particularly Mallory, whose arc/development was one of my favorite parts of the story. If you like audiobooks, this one's also extremely well-read! I highly recommend The Notorious Scarlett and Browne to readers ages ten and up looking for a quirky, fast-paced adventure with an intricate plot and spectacular characters. 

By Ella

Callie has always known that they’re going to be a knight, just like their papa, who was once one of the most accomplished defenders of the land. The problem is, the whole world seems to think that Callie should learn magic like the girl they’ve never been, and that only boys should learn to fight with swords.

That’s ridiculous, of course—and luckily, Callie’s dads know that as well as they do. Still, although Callie has found a home where they’re accepted for who they are, they’ve always dreamed of going to Helston, the country’s capital, where young hopefuls train to become knights, and where their papa once fought at the king’s side. So when their papa is summoned to Helston to help train the prince, Callie leaps at the chance to visit and find their place.

It turns out, though, that not everyone else is so pleased with the prospect of Callie becoming a knight—particularly the chancellor who runs the city, who insists that Callie learn to use their much-hated magic and stay away with the women instead of becoming the knight they’ve always known they’re supposed to be. All their life, Callie's thought that Helston would be a fairytale, but it turns out it's full of bigots and discrimination. And when Callie stands up for themself, it doesn't go well. 

No one else seems to be struggling to cram themselves into Helston's strict roles, but Callie soon discovers that’s not the case—they meet Willow, a crown prince who’s never wanted to be a warrior; Elowen, the chancellor’s fierce and capable daughter; and Edwyn, her brother, who more than anything wants to fit the mold his father has set for him. Helston’s rigid society is just hurting everyone, and Callie already got enough of that kind of manipulation when they were younger. Together, it’s up to Callie and their new friends to stand up against a society that hates them—or else be forced to become the people they’ve never wanted to be.

I absolutely loved Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston. At once a fun fantasy adventure, an unflinching story about hatred and prejudice, and a brilliant, affirming reflection of everyone’s uniqueness in the face of an inflexible society, this is definitely one of my favorites of 2023 so far. Esme Symes-Smith draws from many familiar tropes but makes them fully their own, creating an utterly amazing setting that feels more complete and well-rounded than any I can recently remember. Helston perfectly reflects the beauty and deep-rooted imperfections that coexist in our world, too, which helped to make it heartbreaking and vivid in equal measure.

However, that said, the characters were definitely my favorite part of Sir Callie. Callie, of course, was a favorite—their bravery, determination, and sheer stubbornness made me fall in love with them immediately, and I’m so glad there will be more books in the series for me to get to know them better! But every single character in this book were spectacular and nuanced, particularly Willow and Edwyn, whose struggles, though very different, are each so full of realism and power that I couldn’t help but root for them through all the stories twists and turns. A special shout-out has to go to the chancellor, not because I liked him, but because I hated him with such a burning passion—it’s a rare villain who I truly despise, but he went above and beyond in this particular department.

Although Sir Callie was sometimes hard to read—where many books, especially middle-grade fantasy, will skirt around painful topics, this one does the reverse—this was one of my favorite parts about it. Esme Symes-Smith’s willingness to face even incredibly difficult topics head-on was part of why I connected so deeply with Callie and their story; they perfectly encapsulate incredible messiness of reckoning and healing.

​I highly recommend Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston to readers ages eleven and up—if you’ve ever wanted to read a queer mash-up of a Tamora Pierce book, this one’s for you! 

By Ella

The Golden Frog Games is the sequel to Witchlings, and the second book in Claribel A. Ortega’s ongoing Witchlings series.

[Look out—there are spoilers for book 1 below!]

Being one of the most famous Spares in the Twelve Towns is a lot to live up to. Especially for Seven, who’s heralded not just as the Spare who defeated the Nightbeast but as the future Town Uncle—a Town Uncle who, despite all her best efforts, can hear the voices of dangerous monstruos far louder than the animals that are supposed to be speaking to her. But ever since she, Valley, and Thorn made history as the first true Spare coven, they’ve been the face of all the Spares in the Twelve Towns. And Seven is sure that admitting she’s failing at her most basic Uncle duties is exactly what the growing number of anti-Spare agitators need to prove that Spares were always supposed to be powerless.

Amid a rise in anti-Spare sentiment, Seven hopes that the Golden Frog Games—an anticipated tournament where the Twelve Towns compete in everything from frog racing to magical clothing—will allay the worst of the tension, thanks to Seven’s covenmate and friend Thorn being a prime contender in the costura division. But when a fellow competitor is turned to stone, with Thorn the prime suspect, it’s up to Seven, Valley, and Thorn to find the hexer before they hurt anyone else.

I loved Witchlings, so I was super excited for the sequel—and it didn’t disappoint! Brimming with quirky worldbuilding, humor, and adventure, I didn’t want to put this story down. As before, the characters are awesome—Seven, Thorn, and Valley are one of my favorite literary trios, both for their individual personalities and the way they interact with each other. They feel like such a natural group of friends, and I love reading about them! The new cast was also great (I particularly liked Graves), always bringing energy and quirkiness to the narrative. I particularly loved seeing Seven and her friends stand up to anti-Spare prejudice in this book, and her struggle and determination in the face of it; realistic and thoughtful, it helped make the world of Witchlings come alive. I highly recommend The Golden Frog Games (and the Witchlings series) to readers ages ten and up. 

By Ella

Mar’s papá is one of the greatest pirates in the Caribbean—and one of the most feared by the Spanish conquerors whom he steals from. But for Mar, their papá’s ship is more than a home; it’s their sanctuary, the only place where they can use their mysterious fire and ice magia without being called a demon, and where they can be their authentic self without people sorting them into gendered boxes that have never really fit.

On Mar’s sixteenth birthday, though, their way of life is shattered when they learn that their papá made a bargain years ago with el Diablo himself—and that he’s come to collect his price. In the chaos of fire and wind that he summons, the ship goes down, and Mar is the only survivor.

Saved by irritating—and inexplicably pretty—son of a rival pirate ship’s captain, Mar is left to forge a new life for themselves, one where no one knows who they are or what they can do and discovery means death. And overhanging it all is el Diablo’s painful ultimatum: either Mar sacrifices themself to save their father by the time two moon cycles have passed, or they’ll lose him forever.

Mar must fend off hostile pirates, Spanish soldiers, an irritatingly persistent demonio, and their own uncertainty and insecurity if they want to have any hope of saving their father—and of getting through the next few weeks alive.

Fast-paced, absorbing, and brilliant, The Wicked Bargain is fantasy pirates at their finest, perfect for fans of The Sunbearer Trials. I absolutely love the historical fantasy world Novoa has woven in this book—blending real-life events (Latinx pirates, Caribbean conflicts with the Spanish colonizers) and fantasy elements (magia, el Diablo, demonios) into a riveting, atmospheric story that I couldn’t put down. Mar was such an awesome protagonist—their realistic, powerful internal conflicts and nuanced gender identity truly brought this story to life for me. I particularly loved their interactions with the supporting cast, particularly Bas and Demi (my two other favorite characters), which had a depth and spark that helped absorb me in their world. I highly recommend The Wicked Bargain to anyone ages thirteen and up who loves engrossing, multilayered YA fantasy, particularly that which stars trans and LGBTQ+ characters. 

By Ella

Kai does not want to go to summer camp. E doesn’t see the point—after all, even with the incident that left eir arm in a sling a few weeks ago, e doesn’t think that going away to summer camp is going to fix anything. Kai just wants to hang out with eir friends at home. But no: eir parents are sure that sending em to a summer camp decked out in rainbows and pride flags will fix everything, and so, reluctantly, Kai packs eir bags.

Abigail can’t think of a way she’d rather spend her summer then at Camp QUILTBAG. A summer camp full of other LGBTQ+ teens sounds perfect…especially after the humiliating coming-out-gone-wrong that’s left her an outcast from her longtime friends. But she can’t help but feel a little out of place surrounded by all these kids who know exactly who they are, when this is the first time Abigail has been able to talk about who she likes without risking outright rejection.

Kai and Abigail might be unlikely friends, but soon after arriving at Camp QUILTBAG, they make a pact to help each other. Kai will help Abigail be more confident, and Abigail will help Kai’s group win the highly competitive camp-wide competition. Along the way, Abigail and Kai will both make friends and find their place at Camp QUILTBAG—and learn more about themselves, too.

​Camp QUILTBAG is a fun, quirky middle-grade novel perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted and thoughtful summery read. I really liked all the characters—although Kai and Abigail were particularly awesome, there were so many more minor characters who felt equally developed and interesting (I particularly liked Oren and Juliana). The ways they interacted and found common ground truly formed the backbone of this story, and the relationships in Camp QUILTBAG were some of the highlights for me. I highly recommend Camp QUILTBAG to readers ages eight and up, particularly those who like inclusive middle-grade and summertime reads. 

P.S. If you like Camp QUILTBAG, check out our interview with coauthor A. J. Sass about his first book, Ana on the Edge! 

By Ella

Nic Blake is a Manifestor—which, up until now, hasn’t meant a whole lot other than always needing to move when Unremarkable, non-magical humans figure out that there’s something weird about her and her dad. But today is Nic’s twelfth birthday, and she’s hoping that the hellhound pup her dad gives her isn’t the only present he’s planning. She’s been asking him to teach her how to use her magic for years, and maybe now he’ll deem her old enough.

But before she can start pestering her dad again, Nic’s life is utterly upended when her favorite author and a mysterious women crash into her life—and bring the Remarkable police not far behind them. With her dad imprisoned for a crime Nic’s certain he couldn’t have committed and no idea who to go to, Nic teams up with her Unremarkable best friend and a twin brother she never knew she had to clear her dad’s name the only way she knows how—by finding the weapon the Remarkables think he stole before he's sentenced to a terrible fate.

Pursued by the Remarkable police, Nic and her friends must uncover the truth about everyone from a resentful ex-Chosen One to a group of dangerous, magic-wielding Unremarkables if she wants to save her dad in time—but that might mean learning truths about herself she’d have rather stayed hidden.

​Witty, fast-paced, and exciting, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy was utterly awesome. Nic is a fiery, fierce, adventurous heroine who I couldn’t help but love; her determination and passion drive the story through all its twists, and I’m so glad I get to follow her through more books in the series! The supporting cast particularly shone as well, especially the adults like Nic’s parents and the ex-Chosen One (one of my personal favorites!), who felt in some ways as fleshed out and vivid as the story’s protagonists. From the first few chapters there was clearly so much depth to their history and stories, and I can’t wait to get to know all of them better in the sequel. As someone who loves subverted tropes, I particularly enjoyed Thomas’s reimagining of the classic Chosen One into something unique and far more interesting, bringing extra depth to a tale that raised interesting questions about the way we tell stories. Indeed, the unexpected depth to what easily could’ve been a straightforward story was part of why I loved it so much; as in Thomas’s other books, she doesn’t shy away from the reality of being a Black kid in America, an honesty seen too rarely in contemporary fantasy novels that only became more powerful through Nic’s indignance that that the Remarkables didn’t use their magic to help Unremarkables in the larger world. Although very different from Angie Thomas’s other books, it shares their self-awareness, powerfully realistic characters, and engrossing writing—all the hallmarks of what make Thomas’s books so amazing. Action-packed and clever, I highly recommend The Manifestor Prophecy to readers ages nine and up. ​

By Ella

Ellen likes everything to be organized and planned out ahead. And thanks to her parents and her best friend, Laurel, that’s never been a problem, just like it’s never been a big deal that she likes girls and is autistic. But lately, Laurel has been spending less and less time with her, and Ellen isn’t sure what to do. The class trip to Barcelona seems like the perfect time to reconnect with her best friend.

But Ellen’s careful plans go awry almost immediately. Laurel hangs out with her new friends instead of Ellen, and even though she invites her to hang out, Ellen feels out of place with the other girls. A new nonbinary classmate who Ellen can’t help but like leaves her questioning the categories she’s always used to think about the world. And on top of it all, the trip’s schedule turns out completely differently than Ellen expected when they get separated into teams to go on a treasure hunt across Barcelona—and Laurel isn’t on Ellen’s team.

This summer won’t be anything like Ellen expected, but maybe she’ll be able to find somewhere new she belongs—and discover a few things about herself, too.

​Thoughtful, sensitive, and engrossing, I loved Ellen Outside the Lines. A. J. Sass’s debut, Ana on the Edge, was one of my absolute favorites last year, and Ellen Outside the Lines fully lived up to the expectations that book set. Ellen was an awesome protagonist—her voice was so strong throughout the novel, and her questions and struggles felt utterly familiar and sympathetic. I loved the setting, too, particularly as Ellen and her friends explored Barcelona; the vivid descriptions and sprinkling of Spanish and Catalan made me feel as though I was walking the streets right beside her. Sweet, relatable, and exciting, I highly recommend Ellen Outside the Lines to readers ages nine and up. 

By Ella

Frances, a young seamstress in Paris, is sure she’s about to lose her job. She’s long dreamed of crafting unconven-tional, spectacular gowns, but without the credits or accomplishments she needs to be taken seriously, her inadvis-able foray into more creative designs has just made her traditionalist employer furious. But instead of ruining her career, Frances’s work attracts the attention of a wealthy customer who offers her a new position—one where her creativity isn’t hemmed in by someone else’s notions of what shouldn’t be done. To her surprise, the customer is the crown prince, Sebastian.

Sebastian has always loved dresses, and now more than ever—with his parents pushing him to find the perfect princess to marry—he needs to escape the palace to find people who see him for who he really is. When he glimpses Frances’s flamboyant handiwork, he knows immediately he wants to hire her himself—and when she agrees, it seems like a dream come true for both of them.

For the first time, Frances is able to make whatever dresses she likes. And while Sebastian still has to play the perfect prince during the day, courting princesses and pleasing his parents, at night he and Frances slip into the city and he becomes Lady Crystallia, wealthy and unconventional, whose dress sense is admired and whose true identity is a carefully kept secret.

But how long can this secret be kept? And if Frances remains a secret’s dressmaker, can she ever become the famous seamstress of her dreams? 
​
I absolutely loved The Prince and the Dressmaker. The stunning, atmospheric illustrations drew me immediately into Frances’s story; the tale flew by far quicker than I wanted it to! There was so much beauty to this story, both in the pictures and the plot itself; Frances’s quirky determination and Sebastian’s lonely hope sprang to life with vividness and sensitivity, blending together into a lovely, whimsical tale full of friendship and realism that feels as genuine as it does lovable. I particularly loved Sebastian’s understanding of his identity, which is fluid and natural instead of feeling predetermined or contrived. I highly recommend The Prince and the Dressmaker to anyone who loves queer graphic novels, particularly those with happy endings.
 
Note: I first picked up The Prince and the Dressmaker because of FalconX’s awesome review of it several years ago—you can read it here! 

By Ella

The Ever Storms is the third book in the ongoing Wilderlore series; the previous books in the series are The Accidental Apprentice (book 1) and The Weeping Tide (book 2).

Look out—there are spoilers for earlier books in the series in the review!

After facing off with Audrian Keyes and saving the Wilderlands and the Elsewheres—twice—Barclay Thorne is ready for a break. But instead, he and his fellow apprentices, Viola and Tadg, are bound for the Symposium, a series of courses at one of the Lorekeepers’ most prestigious schools in the heart of the Desert.

As an Elsie and outsider to the Lorekeeper world, Barclay is pretty sure he’s going to be scrambling to keep up. And that’s even without the Tourney, an infamous prank war between the Symposium’s students which his friends expect him to be part of, too.

But when a series of mysterious sandstorms known as the Ever Storms appear across the desert, Barclay and his friends might be the only ones who can find their source and stop them before they give rise to something even more disastrous.

I truly love the Wilderlore series, and The Ever Storms was just as good as its predecessors. Witty and magical, this is a perfect middle-grade read for anyone who loves sprawling fantasy series that sparkle with uniqueness and yet take advantage of the familiar. I love Foody’s worldbuilding—every Wilderland is full of interesting details and vivid descriptions, and the Beasts and their powers are both varied and so intriguing. Barclay and his friends, particularly as the series progresses, are such good characters—all distinct and funny, their interactions, relationships, and interactions are consistently engrossing and likable, and I’m so glad to get to know some of them better in this book. I already can’t wait for book 4! I highly recommend The Ever Storms to readers ages nine and up, particularly those who love fantasy series like Septimus Heap and Poppy Pendle. 

​By Ella

The Secrets of the Stormforest is the third book in L D Lapinski's middle-grade fantasy Strangeworlds Travel Agency series. It is preceded by Strangeworlds Travel Agency and The Edge of the Ocean, both of which we also loved--we chose the series overall as one of our favorites of 2022! 

​
[Look out--there are spoilers for books 1 & 2 below!]

Ever since Flick Hudson discovered the Strangeworlds Travel Agency and met Jonathan Mercator, who oversees the travel through the multiverse via portals trapped in suitcases, her life has become extraordinary. But now, as Flick begins to understand the truth about the travel agency and the dangers facing the many worlds, she discovers that not just Strangeworlds, but the entire multiverse, might be in danger. 

Now, with Jonathan and Avery by her side, Flick must race to find a suitcase with the power to destroy the multiverse--before it is used to tear apart every magical place she's ever found. 

I adored Flick and Jonathan's previous adventures, each full of quirky twists, awesome characters, and a sense of inarguable magic. The Secrets of the Stormforest's only flaw is that it's the final book in the trilogy! With everything that made books one and two so wonderful, plus unfolding secrets, impending disaster, and a series of stunning plot twists I never would have expected, there was so much to love about this story. As in the earlier books, Lapinski's characters are extraordinary; I felt so much for Flick, Jonathan, Avery, and the entire cast over the course of this book, who are made utterly relatable by their vulnerability, flaws, bravery, and connections to one another. Everything came together with beautiful, sometimes heartbreaking perfection, and threads both anticipated and unexpected from the previous books wove into a story I didn't want to end. I highly recommend the Strangeworlds Travel Agency series to anyone who loves heartwarming, exciting adventures, strong characters, and immersive worldbuilding, ages nine and up.