The Legendary Scarlett & Browne (Scarlett & Browne 3) by Jonathan Stroud

What worked:

Scarlett and Albert Browne are outlaws. Albert has the brains and voice of reason in the pair, while Scarlett is the muscle. Scarlett is athletic, a crack shot, and always carries a knife. Characters know that when she makes a threat, she’ll follow through. Albert has supernatural abilities; he can read minds and use telekinesis to move objects. He knows what attackers plan to do before they do it and can hurl objects and destroy structures by thinking about it. However, the telekinesis often takes a physical and emotional toll on him. An early scene describes Scarlett and Browne robbing a bank, but it reveals a few things about the characters. One, they steal very little money, as Scarlett is mainly looking for records of slave transactions to help find her little brother. Second, Albert is reluctant to harm others and allows the hostages to escape. And third, they are daring and calculating, as they allow themselves to be surrounded and “trapped” inside the bank. The banter between them and Scarlett’s swear jar provides levity to the seriousness of the plot.

The Faith Houses and High Council are cast as the bad guys, as evidenced by a barber being sentenced to execution for speaking out against them. Scarlett and Browne come to his rescue to remind readers that they aren’t common criminals and have good intentions. The High Council has new leadership and is aggressively spreading its influence to new regions. Slaves are commonly sold everywhere, and slavery is rampant throughout the story. The Faith Houses have created the White Hat Company, which acts as enforcers and intimidators. They are taking slaves from markets to be used for a secret mining project at the Devil’s Mouth. The White Hats carry devastating weapons powered by rock shards, and Scarlett and Albert wonder what they are still searching for that might be more powerful than that.

The author adds another surprising character named Mallory, whom Albert thought he had killed earlier in the series. This character adds intrigue because he tried to murder Scarlett and Albert on several occasions. They question his motives and sincerity, and another character named Joe is the most suspicious. Mallory used to work for the Faith Houses until Albert dropped a whole building on top of him. He used to share Albert’s abilities, but he can no longer summon his telekinesis. Despite his questionable loyalties, Mallory’s knowledge of the Faith Houses is invaluable, including the location of Stonemoor. The scientists in the facility did countless, painful experiments on Albert, and he’s always dreamed of returning to learn more about his early life. Will he find answers to his questions, or will he uncover new nightmares?

What didn’t work as well:

The story is more violent than many middle-grade books. Scarlett doesn’t have a problem shooting people who threaten her or harm others, and the White Hats are ruthless intimidators. Their weapons fire a blue light that can blow a hole through someone.

The final verdict:

The author is a master of description, as he brings the characters and their emotions to life. Readers will form connections, especially with Albert, as the author shares the characters’ thoughts, feelings, and dreams. I recommend you try this series by starting with the first book, The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne.

The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly

What worked:

Lila is the overly dramatic main character whose two best friends are tired of her exaggerated reactions to everything. She texts them an SOS that she’s being forced against her will to attend her grandfather’s funeral and is surprised they don’t share her angst. It’s perfectly normal to attend the funeral of a loved one who’s died. Lila’s parents and brother aren’t sympathetic to her constant emergencies either, so she’s reluctant to tell them she can see ghosts. She’s going to be a rock this time, unwavering with her emotions fully under control, although inside, she’s freaked out and scared.

Lila has an instant ally in Teddy, her grandfather’s young neighbor. Teddy has always had an interest in ghosts, and Grandpa Clem was willing to answer all of his questions. Grandpa was “high channel” (able to see and speak to ghosts), and it seems Lila is too. Teddy immediately accepts that Lila has seen her grandfather and offers to solve the mystery of how he died. Grandpa Clem doesn’t know who poisoned his tea, but he’s sure he was murdered. Readers will identify one character as the obvious, prime suspect, but the details surrounding the portal in the attic take longer to emerge.

This is a ghost story, and there are plenty of them to satisfy young readers. They range from an innocent four-year-old girl to a threatening sharpshooter from the Old West. Lila is confused when ghosts ask her questions she can’t answer, and others tell her to “step right up”. Grandpa Clem’s old business partner is willing to share information about the afterlife, but Lila isn’t sure she trusts him. She’s sure he’s not telling her the complete truth, and there are puzzling pictures on his walls. Other photos found at the library provide some answers but create new questions, too. Lila knows everything revolves around the portal mirror, and she knows she’ll eventually need to be intrepid enough to open the locked door at the top of the steep, narrow attic stairs.

What didn’t work as well:

I read an advanced copy of the book and didn’t get to experience the interactive aspect of it. The finished edition will allow readers to scan QR codes on certain pages to “talk” to ghost characters in the book. The plot builds to a climax that may not be as suspenseful as some readers would like. However, it comes to a satisfying resolution.

The final verdict:

Young readers will understand Lila’s severe anxiety, although she takes it to the extreme. She fits the term “drama queen”, but her long road to courage is eventful. This book will appeal to middle-grade ghost lovers, and I recommend you give it a shot.

Threat of the Spider (The Web of the Spider 2) by Michael P. Spradlin

What worked:

The previous book featured Rolf, while his loud-mouthed friend Ansel is the main character this time. The Hitler Youth group is gaining popularity, but Ansel has no problem taunting and antagonizing them. Many of his comments are directed at Hans, a local leader of the youth group. However, Hans is backed by adult Nazi groups that send SA thugs to help stifle any protesters, Jews, or people who might speak against the Nazis. Ansel’s father is a reporter who makes it his mission to contradict Nazi propaganda with facts, questions, and information. Despite Ansel’s jeers and provocative nature, he has a strong sense of fairness and despises cheaters. He can’t hold his tongue when he sees kind, innocent people being threatened.

The book shares a historical view of Germany when Hitler and the Nazi Party are rising to power. Many Americans wonder how Hitler was able to take control of Germany and lead it into World War II, and this book attempts to describe the culture at that time. Hitler identifies Jews as the cause of the country’s problems and unites many citizens to take action against them. Neighbors might attack neighbors in the dead of the night, while Nazi thugs intimidate others during the daytime. Many opponents remain quiet and frightened to avoid having violence directed at them. The Nazis try to control news and information, because it’s a key strategy in controlling the thinking of others. This book shows the fallacy when people say, “It can’t happen here.”

Ansel’s Unassailable Facts of Life add levity to the book’s serious tone. According to him, one of these statements “cannot be argued with or its truth denied.” Ansel comes up with these ideas to explain different situations, but they usually leave the characters scratching their heads. For example, in describing Herr Himmler’s upcoming speech, Unassailable Fact of Life Number Forty-Four says, “No matter how bright the sun, the mother cat still has her kittens under the porch.” When asked about cheating in a game of Capture the Flag, Ansel’s Unassailable Fact of Life Number Twelve says, “When the wolf approaches, the cheese will still smell bad after three days.” You’re probably trying to figure out what this means, but just appreciate that it contributes confusing humor to serious situations.

What didn’t work as well:

The narrative doesn’t have the feel of a typical middle-grade novel. The subject of Naziism’s rise to power is at the forefront throughout the book, so it’s probably more appropriate for more mature readers. The informational element of this historical fiction may detract from the entertainment element of the story.

The final verdict:

While this is the second book in the series, it can be read independently of the first one. It shares the unrest, uncertainty, and desperation of German citizens as they try to recover from losing World War II. The book describes how the Nazis take advantage of the conditions and Hitler’s rise to power. I recommend you give the book a shot.

Press 1 for Invasion by J. A. Dauber

What worked:

Matt is an unlikely hero, as he doesn’t seem to have any friends beyond Geno. However, he only hangs out with Geno because of his amazing collection of comics. One of Matt’s redeeming qualities is his kindness toward the lunch ladies. Most of the students make fun of them, but Matt takes the time to talk and to show them politeness. He feels his parents are overly cautious when they won’t get him a cell phone, but it reinforces the idea that he’ll be chosen to save the world.

Young readers will probably be shocked to learn the aliens are invading Earth, because humans are a delicious source of meat. The lunch lady reveals the plan to Matt, and he’s creeped out by the idea of being eaten by aliens. She talks about it matter-of-factly, she compares eating kids to eating veal, and can describe the cooking process in her role as a chef. Even though she insists she’s now a vegetarian, Matt’s still uneasy at how casually she can talk about eating humans. He learns the school crossing guard is another alien who is looking forward to a delicious meal.

Matt’s eyes are two different colors, which is the reason he’s the only one who can see the aliens in their true forms. The crossing guard is an immediate antagonist, and his rhyming comments to students are creepy. He figures out Matt has seen him in his true form and starts becoming more aggressive. The only way Matt can avoid the guard is by taking a route with a dog that scares the heck out of him. The crossing guard isn’t always present in the story, but his threat is constantly in readers’ minds. So, they’ll anticipate a confrontation between Matt and the crossing guard at some point, even as Matt is trying to stop the alien invasion. The plot’s climax offers more than what’s expected.

What didn’t work as well:

The physical appearance of the aliens may confuse some readers. They have seven tentacles and multiple eyes, but humans see them as a normal man and woman. They haven’t transformed or anything; they just look different. Even Matt finds it challenging to mentally reconcile that the woman he sees walking across the room is actually slithering across the floor on tentacles. It’s helpful that Matt wears special glasses later in the book, so he can describe to readers what’s really happening.

The final verdict:

The plot has a fun blend of humor and adventure where two young kids must save the world from invading aliens. The danger of being eaten is a curious twist to the conflict and adds novelty to the story. Some of the silliness may not appeal to everyone, but I still recommend you try it for yourself.

Destructo World (Superworld 2) by Yarrow and Carrie Cheney

What worked:

The setting is much different from the previous book as Destructo has totally changed the world in only a few weeks. While Noah’s parents have kept him in an underground, concrete bunker for protection, his school now teaches students to become villains, and everyone’s terrified of being associated with heroes. Noah sneaks out of the bunker and discovers his best friends’ faces are displayed on wanted posters. Destructo Rangers patrol the neighborhoods, and people are afraid to be seen in public. Any attempts to help others will result in arrest and the loss of their prime powers.

As in the first book, this one is loaded with zany humor. Noah is beaten up by the school bullies, and a Fixer repairs all of his broken bones. The Fixer doesn’t have much experience with humans, so he repeatedly makes mistakes, including putting Noah’s feet on backwards. Noah’s grandmother can change into any animal, and she appears as a dragon this time, teasing him about being a non-super. Noah and his friends escape Destructo Rangers when the villains argue and fight over who deserves the reward for capturing the Z Team. The team is later saved from Power-Changers by a gigantic, ferocious Daisy in “full-blossom-beast mode”. To top this all off, Noah is trying to save the world while avoiding being grounded by his overprotective parents.

Noah has more confidence than he had in the first book, and his friends perceive him as the Plan-Man. The supporting characters are the same as last time, but there are differences due to Destructo’s takeover. An intriguing character continues to be Noah's six-year-old sister Joy. She’s the only character with two superpowers; she can mentally move things and she can control the weather. She’s also a huge Destructo fan, and Noah is afraid she’ll eventually become a villain. However, Joy catches him sneaking around several times, but she doesn’t snitch to their parents. In fact, there are a couple of occasions when she helps him by creating diversions. She often has a smirky smile, so readers will wonder what she’s really thinking. She’s a puzzling enigma.

What didn’t work as well:

Once again, the strange humor probably won’t be appreciated by everyone. Misunderstandings and word play are frequently utilized, maybe too much.

The final verdict:

Readers will immediately be impressed by the beautiful illustrations on almost every page. I suggest you read Save Noah first to fully grasp the situation in the sequel. The blend of action, creativity, and humor will appeal to many middle-grade readers and I recommend you give this series a shot. 

The Last Rocketship (Reya & Lux 1) by R.K. Phayre

What worked:

Young readers will relate to Reya’s role as a social media influencer. Her parents are instrumental in evacuating people from Earth, and they leave on one of the first rockets. The Programme helps create Reya’s online persona as a consolation for her parents' leaving, and one of her eyes is replaced with a B’eye’onix implant to broadcast her posts. She’s the most popular influencer on the planet, which makes her famous and rich. Early on, she seems superficial, but readers discover she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Her younger brother Lux is nerdy and the target of bullies, but Reya is very protective of him. Lux’s has advanced hacking skills, which become important as the plot progresses.

The author creates a future world where the world's citizens are forced to work together. There was violence when people first learned the sun was dying, but they now live peacefully, waiting for their chances to leave the planet. The book shares possible future technology, including an elevator into space to more easily transport resources. The most interesting technology is the AI in charge of running the last rocket ship from Earth. It’s brand new and must learn how to interpret new situations before making decisions. The author allows readers into the AI’s “mind” as it tries to understand how to interact with teenagers. The entire ship is manned by the AI, computers, and various droids, and the presence of Reya and Lux creates an unpredictable challenge.

The Programme is created when the world realizes the sun is dying. It controls everything on the planet to ensure people are given the best chance to survive. Resources are diverted to rocket production, but people accept it for a chance to leave before the sun dies.  Reya and Lux are placed in a private school because of their parents’ importance, and they’re treated very well. However, they later learn some people aren’t happy with the Programme and are protesting the unfairness. Reya has power through social media to reveal the Programme’s secrets, but she learns they can also take that power away. This creates a compelling conflict that will change the direction of the story.

What didn’t work as well:

The author creates vocabulary, usually adjectives, like fluencer and lightsome. It’s not a huge deal, but the words stand out when they’re used and take getting used to. Definitions are in a glossary at the end, if readers can’t figure them out from the context. A bigger thing that doesn’t work as well is how the plot doesn’t build to a climax. It doesn’t feel like the story is heading toward a critical moment when everything comes together.

The final verdict:

The interactions between the kids and the AI are the highlight of the book. Much of the time, the AI is trying to figure out how to be a parent, while Lux and Reya test their limits. Overall, it’s a creative concept for a series, and I recommend you check it out for yourself. 

A Recipe for Trouble (Alice Éclair, Spy Extraordinaire 1) by Sarah Todd Taylor

What worked:

Readers must remember the story is set in the mid-1930s when Hitler and Germany became a growing threat to Europe. This is when spies pass secret, classified information to their governments using ciphers and hidden messages. The book opens with Alice retrieving some microfilm that was stolen from a French agent. Alice’s uncle was a spy who she thinks drowned two years ago. However, he’s still alive and has been training Alice to follow in his footsteps. She’s learned to read codes, follow maps, create detailed diagrams, and be more observant of people and her surroundings. These skills are useful as she tries to thwart a spy from sharing information that might lead to a German invasion of England.

Many young readers enjoy cooking with their parents, and Alice is a gifted pastry chef working in her mother’s bakery. She’s the greatest young baker in Paris, France, and maybe the most talented in the whole country. The first pages describe Alice artfully putting the finishing touches on a baked recreation of the Eiffel Tower with glittery fireworks as a highlight. Her talent opens the door for her to board an exclusive train, trying to stop the person working for the Nazis. There are descriptions of Alice mixing and baking different pastries to maintain her cover. She’s also able to apply her baking skills and knowledge in unexpected situations.

The story presents plenty of suspects for the unknown spy, and readers' attention will fluctuate as more information is shared. Is it the singing/dancing twin brothers who’ve been performing in locations around Europe where previous incidents have occurred? Is it Stella, the reporter with notebooks written in strange language (code?), who has also been traveling around Europe? Maybe it’s the mysterious professor, who’s often poring through books rather than interacting with other guests. Or could the spy be someone else who Alice hasn’t noticed? The author saves a huge surprise as the story nears its climax and leaves the resolution open for the sequel.

What didn’t work as well:

This book is the first in the series, but it doesn’t feel like it. References are made to spy-like activities Alice has done that might have been in previous editions. This results in her backstory and character not being as developed as they might have been. We don’t know a lot about Alice beyond what happens in this book. Also, the plot isn’t overly suspenseful until the surprise mentioned above.

The final verdict:

This book is a nice introduction to a new spy-sleuth in pre-WWII France. Alice’s talents as a pastry chef and the surprise during the book’s climax add novelty and interest to this series. I recommend you give it a shot!

Finding the Lost One (The Extraterrestial Zoo 1) by Samantha Van Leer

What worked:

The author introduces readers to several ELBs in the early chapters to prepare them for later events. Don’t let Ava hear you calling them aliens! The descriptions “humanize” the beings by giving them personalities and showing how they depend on the zoo for survival. One of them can’t breathe oxygen. The first chapter finds Ava checking the tongue of Mr. Wiggles, an Obz, for cavities, and he’s a very cooperative patient. Other creatures are introduced to readers when Ava takes Harley, the new intern, with her to serve the ELBs breakfast. Yeldud is a fourteen-foot ELB and begins every interaction with a hug. Gwenya is green, fuzzy, and limbless and sniffs visitors like the greeting of a friendly dog. Wiblsey is Ava’s favorite goofball, as Ava enjoys playing hide-and-seek with her. Ava can feed Pingree grapes from the palm of her hand, but she must watch out for spitting acid when he’s upset. Ava doesn’t know why the ELB eggs were sent to Earth or why they stopped coming.

The relationship between Ava and Harley offers a wide range of emotions. Ava is angry when he first arrives, because she doesn’t think the zoo needs his help. Ava’s uncle wants her to attend public school, but she thinks it wastes her time. Harley is eager, curious, and energetic about his new job, and he admires how well Ava works with the ELBs. Ava can’t understand why he’s always so positive and happy, but her feelings reluctantly change. Readers will wonder about Harley’s character, too, as there’s something mysterious about him and little information about his past. He finally shares details with Ava, and she realizes they have more in common than she thought.

The hurricane hits about one-fourth of the way into the book and changes the plot. All of the cages have been destroyed, and Ava learns armed soldiers are searching for the escaped ELBs. However, the ELBs are being shot on sight, and the general leading the hunt is supposed to be overseeing the zoo. Ava’s uncle leaves with police officers and hasn’t been seen since. Pingree is the only ELB that didn’t run away, and Ava and Harley know they’re too late to save many of the other creatures. They spot Cutis near the broken cages, but he’s frightened and flees into the national forest. He’ll die in four days due to his condition, so Ava and Harley pack up Pingree and venture into the forest to save Cutis’s life. They eventually get lost but discover a huge surprise.

What didn’t work as well:

For some readers, the logistics of the zoo may be confusing. Maintaining the zoo is internationally important and must be expensive to maintain, but it seems like Ava and her uncle are living in poverty. Is that because of her uncle being irresponsible, or is it due to a lack of money? The facility doesn’t match the expectations for even a community zoo.

The final verdict:

The idea of ELBs is inventive, and the author includes plenty of unexpected twists to keep readers guessing. The book’s resolution will have readers anxious to read the sequel, and I recommend you check it out.

Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic by Leslie Adame

What worked:

Chloe’s parents are undocumented immigrants from Mexico, which isn’t a common topic among middle-grade novels. The narrative includes some Spanish words and phrases, but readers should be able to use the context to understand their meanings. The early chapters describe the family’s fear of ICE, and Chloe’s sister is afraid federal agents will grab her parents at any moment. Chloe learns that a new classmate named Tiny is also from an undocumented family, and the author later reveals that a second character’s parents were arrested by ICE agents.

Since there’s a school, there must be bullies, and two characters fill that expectation. Chloe meets Danielle before reaching the academy, and her conflict with Danielle is more personal. Danielle’s father and Chloe’s parents have a contentious history, so Danielle directs that animosity toward Chloe. Jason’s character is pompous and cocky which rubs everyone wrong. He’s overly competitive and isn’t used to losing. An expected aspect of the story concerns how Chloe’s interactions with these two bullies develop over time.

Osthall is the main antagonist, and he wants magic revealed to humans. His anger toward humans comes from their history of persecuting sorcerers, as in the Salem Witch Trials. However, Ora, the head of the Agents of Magic, casts a spell separating the two worlds. Osthall wants to destroy the protective shield, which will let him control humans and make them his slaves. He captures Chloe’s parents to find the location of a powerful gem, and the residual effects of touching Chloe’s arm let him connect with her when she sleeps. These dreams tease her with feelings of hopelessness and have Chloe questioning any trust she might have with the Agents of Magic. The agents also think someone at the academy is passing intel to Osthall, so everyone becomes a suspect.

What didn’t work as well:

The Agents of Magic are sticklers for following human laws in case humans become aware of magic sometime in the future. If the veil is broken sometime in the future, it will be unimportant if the sorcerers followed human laws in the past. It’s only described in the book’s early parts, so it’s not a big deal. Also, astute readers may figure out the identity of the academy spy before it’s revealed.

The final verdict:

It’s hard to write a fresh story about a character discovering her powers, but the Mexican culture and undocumented immigrants help. There’s a spy at the academy, a family feud, an evil sorcerer, and Chloe puts a lot of pressure on herself to keep her parents safe. Overall, this is an exciting new series, and I recommend you give it a shot.

Soni and the Life Drinkers by Shiko Nguru

What worked:

Soni and her friends, the Intasiimi Warriors, have superpowers that help them fight evil in the world. Soni blasts sound energy from her hands, Xirsi can talk to animals and is a genius at research, Mwikali is a seer, and Odwar has super strength. Two of them have already acquired Entasims, objects that amplify their powers, and a girl unexpectedly appears and gives Soni a bracelet. She says she’s a relative, and that the bracelet is Soni’s Entasim. It doesn’t work the way her friends’ Entasims did, so readers are left to wonder why not, and Soni assumes she doesn’t know how to activate it yet.

The Life Drinkers, or Takers, are trying to attain immortality by stealing years of life from Soni’s mentor, Mr. Lemayian. This makes the conflict personal and creates sympathetic emotions in readers. Soni and her friends don’t know how his life is being taken, but they realize the person must be close when it happens. This will cause readers to suspect almost every character they encounter, as they try to unravel the mystery. While this is happening, Mr. Lemayian is slowly wasting away and may only have a few days to live. It may be a prelude to an ultimate battle between good and evil.

The author artfully weaves elements from the Kenyan culture to add authenticity. The book opens with Soni and her dance team practicing for a Vunja Mifupa competition. The Intasimi Warriors snack on plantain chips, flavored milk, or mango juice. Mr. Lemayian greets the kids by saying “Karibu” or “Jambo”. The clothes and homes reflect what readers might find if they visit Nairobi. Evil creatures from folklore called shiqqs attack the warriors on multiple occasions and have different appearances; Mwikali is the only one who can see the true face of a shiqq.

What didn’t work as well:

Soni’s cousin gives her the bracelet, but Soni refers to the girl’s mother as her Evil Auntie. It never occurs to Soni and her friends that a gift from an evil aunt and a cousin she just meets might be a bad thing. Also, there was tension in the conflicts, but it didn’t reach the level of being suspenseful.

The final verdict:

The Intasimi Warriors will appeal to a middle-grade audience, and the inclusion of Kenyan culture makes it even better. I was expecting more from the conflicts, but I still recommend you check it out for yourself.

Sky Battles (Dungeon Runners 2) by Kieran Larwood

What worked:

The camaraderie between Kit and his teammates sets them apart from the other competitors. Kit lacks confidence, although he wants to prove he can be a fierce, brave hero. Sandy is the team’s spell-casting mage but doesn’t know many incantations. She’s conjured a sandcastle spell before, and Kit’s grandfather gives her a staff and a second spell written on paper. Sandy’s main contribution to the group is her positivity and rosy disposition. Thorn is the third member of the team, and he’s a vegan vampire (although Kit and Sandy think he might have eaten something else during the previous competition). He’s the team’s healer but doesn’t see much action this time.

The story has humorous highlights, as you can see from Thorn being a vegan vampire. Kit shows up for his first professional Dungeon Runner competition carrying a sword and shield he made out of wood. Not very handy when battling monsters. Kit wishes the team could get a sponsor, and the only business interested is called Troll Boogers. Apparently, their snot is good for making things stick together. One of the other teams is called the Yarn Stormers, and the team members are made of living string in humanoid shapes. The Gravediggers consist of Dr. Kronkenstein and two assistants made from bits and pieces of former Dungeon Runners. They tend to fall apart in the dungeons.

What didn’t work as well:

Thorn doesn’t have much of a role this time, unless you count knitting the team uniforms with purple and orange yarn. There’s not much character or plot development in this short book, and the challenges don’t develop much drama. There are two bully-like characters, but there aren’t enough interactions to be significant. It feels like the book ends rather than builds to a big climax, which may be because it describes challenges in the first part of the overall competition.

The final verdict:

The short, quick-paced story and abundant illustrations of various monsters are perfect for emerging or reluctant middle-grade readers. It doesn’t seem to be as eventful as the first book, but I still recommend you give it a shot.

Storm Singer by Sarwat Chadda

What worked:

The author creates an imaginative world where birdlike creatures rule over the humans. The garuda call humans Worms because they’re a lower life form, barely worth worrying about. Nargis finds an injured eagle garuda named Mistral, although she likes to call him Birdy. Raptor garudas are the most powerful, and Birdy’s father was the ruler before being captured by a vulture garuda named Shamshir. As you can see, the characters live in a caste system with humans at the bottom. Normally, characters aren’t able to move to higher caste levels, but Mistral’s father has ideas that are not popular among many garudas. The sarcastic banter between Mistral and Nargis is a highlight.

Young readers will root for Nargis, as she’s an unlikely hero. She seems feeble due to her damaged leg and the fact that she must use a crutch carved by her deceased father. She’s been ostracized from her village and lives in a small hut with her Baba. Her lone friend is Arjuna, owned by the greedy, ruthless man controlling the village. Nargis has a magical ability to control the spirits, although she still needs to learn that they can’t be ordered to help. Her songs asking for help have good intentions but the spirits don’t always act as she wants. Readers will wonder why Shamshir wants her dead once he learns Nargis’s connection to her father.

The setting is very important to the events, so readers are constantly reminded of the harsh, dry, barren lands. Nargis assumes her village is worse off than most others until she discovers they’re more fortunate. Nargis and Baba have a well that provides small amounts of water, but the stream running by the village is tainted with yellow poison. Nargis and Baba use spirit singing to help their small garden survive, but everyone else struggles for food. Nargis is banished from the village and ventures into the severe terrain, which reminds readers that it’s unforgiving. The hostile environment forces all the caste groups into competition for survival, with the strongest typically surviving.

What didn’t work as well:

The crippling of Nargis’s leg is a little confusing, as she seems to move about better than expected. The author emphasizes the pain and cramping she experiences, but she’s still able to travel across rocky, hilly terrain and scale a ladder. Also, there isn’t any technology in the book; bows, arrows, spears, and clubs are used as weapons, but Shamshir has a cannon called the Dragon. It’s powerful enough to wipe out a whole village, but its power doesn’t fit the context of the overall book.

The final verdict:

Nargis’s sympathetic character highlights the book, as her story is literally spiritual. The author saves some surprises for later in the book, as Nargis learns of her father’s past history with the garudas. I recommend you give this book a shot.

Skandar and the Chaos Trials (Skandar 3) by A.F. Steadman

What worked:

The author creates uncertainty between the unicorns and their riders. Skandar and his friends are now Fledglings, third-year students at the Eyrie, but their unicorns have reached a rebellious age. They don’t always obey their riders even though they’ve become more connected during the past two years. The unicorn might decide to chase a rabbit, shoot lightning from its horns, or release sparkles from its butt. Readers should expect the unexpected. Skandar’s older sister has a forged bond with a wild unicorn and is connected to all five elements; most riders have one special element. The Weaver forges Kenna’s bond, so everyone is leery and frightened of what Kenna might do.

Skandar and the other Fledglings must pass four Chaos Trials by collecting spirit stones from each of the elements: air, fire, water, and earth. These trials break the book into separate milestones while the longer stories of helping Kenna and locating missing unicorn eggs are going on. Each trial presents different rules and challenges that might result in death or injury. In the first trial, the Fledglings must climb to the top of a mountain that seems to have a mind of its own and doesn’t want to be climbed. The Weaver adds to the danger as Skandar and Flo spot her during two of the trials. Why is she risking being seen, and does she truly want to kill Skandar, her son?

Several subplots are equally interesting. Skandar is afraid of what the forced bond with a wild unicorn might be doing to his sister, especially when he sees what her magic can do. He has an idea of how to fix the bond, but Kenna’s reaction to it is unpredictable. The missing unicorn eggs mean there won’t be any new rider ceremony for the next decade, but Bobby is expecting her younger sister to come this year. Readers don’t see much of the Weaver for most of the book, but the characters can’t figure out what she’s up to. They assume she’s behind the missing eggs, but they don’t know why she might want them. Rex Manning is now in charge of the Silver Circle, and there are concerns that he wants more power. He’s been helping Flo navigate her problems this year, which worries Skandar.

The final verdict:

This book seems to mark a pivotal moment in the series. Two important events occur as the book nears its climax that will surely have a dramatic effect on the future. I highly recommend you read this book, but you’ll enjoy it more if you start the series from the beginning.