The Grimlore Game by Kalyn Josephson

What worked:

Grimlore Manor is a magical house, although none of the characters are stereotypical back-stabbing relatives. The curse causes scenes to change and memories to be shared. These visions offer information that can be used to solve puzzles and end the Grimlore Game. Kit is shocked to see a fancy-dressed cat open the front door when she first arrives, and even more surprised to learn no one else can see him. Carmine is an aloof character and feels no need to speak with Kit. Her luggage floats up to her suite, and meals are prepared by bowls and utensils guided by Carmine’s instructions. Kit’s best friend is a tarantula named Gregor with an insatiable love for sweets. He’s not magical, but he adds color to the story.

Kit is full of emotions that will take readers on a rollercoaster adventure. Her parents were victims of the curse, and Kit desperately misses her father. They used to solve all kinds of puzzles together, and Kit uses that knowledge to unlock new clues. She doesn’t really have a home anymore, since her relatives only tolerate her because she might inherit Amos’s money. Kit doesn’t hide her disdain for them, and they treat her like a rude, disobedient little girl. Readers will wonder what will become of Kit once the Grimlore Game concludes. No one shows her any kindness, so who will become her new guardian? Kit slowly comes to realize the game may be more about solving the curse than locating the family wealth.

Mystery and puzzle lovers should enjoy this book, as that’s the driving force of the plot. All of the Devlin relatives gather for the reading of their grandfather’s will, hoping to inherit his wealth. Kit never met the man, but he seemed to favor her over all of her aunts and uncles. She encounters a puzzle box, riddles, and other confusing clues that lead to other mysteries. Kit gets reluctant help from her cousin Harlow, but he has low self-esteem and is afraid of almost everything. Initially, Kit thinks she needs to do everything herself, but she’s forced to admit she needs Harlow. All the while, Kit doesn’t understand why her Grandfather Amos took an interest in her.

What didn’t work as well:

Excerpts from “A Guide to Curses” follow some of the chapters. They often repeat information readers already know, but they also add some food for thought. However, they don’t add much to the overall story.

The final verdict:

The book’s charm comes from Kit’s journey to break the curse and find a home where she can feel wanted and safe. The search for clues will appeal to mystery lovers, and the plot builds to an unexpected resolution. I recommend you try this book for yourself!

Chloe Vega and the Missing Unseen (Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic 2) by Leslie Adame

What worked:

The Unseen is a barrier separating the magical and non-magical worlds. In the first book, Chloe accepted one of the three strongest gems in the world, the opal gem, but this time she learns of its side effects. Using the power destroyed the Unseen around the Mexican-United States border, so innocent people are being exposed to dangers and magic for the first time. The immigration issue remains a conflict in the story, as Chloe’s parents are undocumented. Congress is considering a bill that will make life easier for immigrants, and the academy students are well aware of its effect. In the meantime, Osthall and his followers still want to eliminate the Unseen all over the world. 

As with many middle-grade speculative fiction books, Chloe doesn’t know how to handle her immense new power, and readers learn it responds to her emotions.  She is thirteen years old, and it’s difficult to control feelings at this stage of life. She loses control of herself a few times, and she’s very distressed after harming her best friend. Other students hate or fear her, except for her closest friends, so the school drama is ramped up. The adults decide it will be best to remove the gem’s powers from Chloe, but the security council may use an illegal process to do it. Reese offers to tutor Chloe in a process that will make it easier for her to voluntarily give up the power. However, Reese used to be Osthall’s second in command, so readers will be leery of his intentions. Chloe’s emotional turmoil is a highlight.

The opening chapters are full of action, as Chloe is attacked several times before arriving at the academy. She faces personal attacks at school, and a council representative aggressively tries to catch her making mistakes. One more misuse of Chloe’s opal power will result in it being painfully extracted from her. Chloe alienates her friends to keep them safe, even though she needs as much emotional support as she can get. The plot builds to a dramatic showdown full of fighting and surprises. Readers will need to figure out which characters are behind Chloe and which ones are secretly working against her. Readers will be shocked by the final revelations. 

What didn’t work as well:

Some readers may tire of Chloe’s constant drama with friends and the council representative. However, these trials and tribulations are important for developing the conflict and plot. They complicate her mastery of the opal gem and add suspense to the story. 

The final verdict:

Readers should probably start with the first book in the series. This one is full of conflicted feelings and character relationships, but the author’s surprises at the end are especially entertaining. I highly recommend you give it a shot.

The Book Trap (Pix and Gabe) by Kate Machon

What worked:

This book will have loyal readers thinking back to the first one when Pix was getting to know Gabe. She is forced to partner with Memoria from the Angel Archives, and the relationship has a rocky start. Memoria says Pix has “obstinate behaviour”, which is accurate, and readers will enjoy Pix’s mischievous actions as she tries to mess with the angel. Pix did the same thing with Gabe when they started working together, and they’re reunited in trying circumstances. Gabe is thrust into a book and can’t escape without completing different challenges. Luckily, Pix joins him, and she has no problem using deceit, trickery, and mischievous pranks to help her friend. Gabe’s situation forces Pix to conjure more spells than in the past, and she taps into powers that she’s not supposed to have.

Angels are notorious rule-followers, but Caelix has created Gabe’s tests. Caelix seems to have a huge grudge against Gabe, and the tasks don’t follow normal angel rules. Pix’s efforts to help Gabe are hampered because Gabe won’t tell his faerie friend any useful information about his past relationship with Caelix. This creates a mystery for young readers, as they try to figure out how Pix can best help Gabe. The angels have quickly turned against him, forcing Gabe to go into hiding. Pix takes the initiative to clear her friend’s name and reveal the treachery creeping into the angel world. However, there’s a time factor, as Caelix’s power is growing.

The relationship between Pix and Gabe is challenged. Pix is sure Gabe is keeping secrets even though they’ve promised to be honest with each other. Gabe said it was necessary if they were going to remain friends. However, Pix thinks she can’t help fight Caelix if she doesn’t understand the problem’s origins. On the other hand, Pix isn’t sharing all of her secrets, but she thinks she has no choice. Pix continues to help Gabe, but there’s a real question as to whether their friendship will survive.

What didn’t work as well:

It’s not essential that you read the first two books, but there are references to things Pix and Gabe did in the first book. It also feels like Pix is casting spells in every chapter, and it feels like too much. Much of the story takes place in the magical worlds of pixies and angels, so perhaps it makes sense.

The final verdict:

This book is more “serious” than the previous books, since Pix must use her antics and thinking skills to solve a big problem. In the past, there was more collaboration between Pix and Gabe, but Pix controls almost all decisions driving the plot. I highly recommend you read this book, and it’s not a bad idea to start with the beginning of the series. 

The Wondrous Tale of Lavender Wolfe by Karen Foxlee

What worked:

The setting aboard the pirate ship is strange, as all children develop their magic. Lavender finds herself below deck working with the kitchen crew. However, Big Agatha says it’s bad luck to have girls in the kitchen, so Lavender immediately has her hair cut off and is given the name Hans Whitby. The children’s magic is varied, as one can measure ingredients by sight, another can fly, and another can summon birds. Big Agatha calls the six children in the kitchen her rats and orders and threatens them. However, rats is an endearing term, and she’s quick to give hugs, offer soothing words, and magic cooking.

Big Agatha and the rats tell a tale about the origin of the ship’s curse, and it’s identifiable by the boldface font. A wizard cast a spell that will take full effect at the end of the year, so the conflict has a deadline to increase tension. As the plot progresses, readers will learn that some of the characters are connected to the original curse. Hans/Lavender begins to understand what’s at stake, and she faces a big choice. Does she try to escape the ship like her friend Colin, or does she stay on the ship and risk the same cursed fate of the crew? The characters' emotional trials are a highlight.

The author has a creative mind and masterful talent for description and language. The words will make readers think, create vivid mental images, and evoke a full range of emotions. Hans becomes torn about returning to her mother or remaining on the ship as a pirate. She defiantly reminds herself that she’s Lavender, but readers will notice how that inner voice becomes less insistent. Big Agatha is distressed every time one of her kitchen rats joins the crew on deck, as she demonstrates love and caring for them. The author subtly describes the camaraderie among the rats, and readers will become empathetic toward their fates and ever-changing relationships.

What didn’t work as well:

The thing that makes this book special may also make it confusing for young readers. Amazon suggests it for ages eight and older, but 8-year-olds will find connections between the plot and Agatha’s tale confusing. The book is also described as “playful illustrated”, but there are limited pictures that don’t majorly impact the story.

The final verdict:

Older middle-grade readers will enjoy this adventure and the author’s inventive world-building. Lavender/Hans is a dynamic character, and her emotional journey is gripping. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

The Neverfear (Impossible Creatures 3) by Katherine Rundell

What worked:

Christopher helps a mother unicorn deliver its distressed baby, but there’s an unexpected result. Somehow, touching the infant imbues Christopher with the ability to receive animals’ thoughts and emotions. It comes in handy at times, such as when controlling an injured behemoth, but it also carries potentially dangerous consequences. It affects him physically and can become overwhelming. Readers know this is a significant ability, and it will impact the story before the problems are resolved.

As the book’s title implies, it’s full of unusual and impossible creatures and characters. Jacques is back, and this tiny dragon with attitude is Christopher’s companion and a source of amusement for readers. Companion might be the wrong word, because Jacques constantly questions decisions and tells the humans how they’re doomed. He also has many flowery instructions for Christopher to write in the dragon’s biography. Manticores, Cerberus, and giants are imposing obstacles, or they assist the characters. The author’s imagination will introduce readers to other creatures that they’ve never heard of. The back of the book contains illustrations and descriptions for many of them.

The plot focuses on Irian’s rescue after being kidnapped by bandits. Christopher and Anya are forced to rescue her on their own, since the kidnappers have forbidden them from telling Nighthand, her husband. This restriction enhances the conflict because Nighthand is a berserker and formidable warrior. Christopher and Anya are ordered to obtain three objects that were once part of Hercules’s thirteen labors. They question why the kidnappers want these three specific items and wonder if something larger is happening. The Immortal was an important character in the first book but was absent from the second. The Immortal is reborn as a young boy, and his presence complicates the conflict. A new antagonist, Astor Morax, is introduced, and his evil plans will continue into the next book.

What didn’t work as well:

The plot mostly follows Christopher and Anya, so readers might want to know more about the other characters. However, the author saves a surprise about Anya for later in the book, although astute readers will suspect it. Also, it would be nice to have the illustrations of creatures within the story instead of grouping them at the end.

The final verdict:

Lovers of adventure and uncommon beasts will enjoy this book. Serious dangers threaten this world, and the events come to a dramatic climax, or two. I highly recommend you try this book for yourself, and further, I suggest you start with the first book in the series. 

Ghost in the Night by Tiffany D. Jackson

What worked:

As you might guess from the synopsis, this ghost story turns into a mystery. A popular black man is murdered, his grandson goes missing, and Harmony’s new friend Myah is determined to find the killer. Myah is also dealing with the consequences of a poor decision, but readers don’t learn the details until later. Robby is a precocious ten-year-old dealing with an overprotective mother. Harmony is still grieving for her recently deceased grandmother, and she’s been touring with her father’s band for the past six months. She wonders if she’s already seen her grandmother’s ghost, so she’s more open to the possibility of spirits in the most haunted city in America.

The narrative is a nice blend of fiction, true ghost tales, and the history of New Orleans and Savannah. The author acknowledges she took some liberties “to keep this story PG”, since some of the actual tales are “REALLY gruesome”. There are links in the back of the book to some of the author’s favorite ghost tours and sources of ghostly information. The narrative includes actual locations and real people who lived in Savannah. The author includes information about the abuse and disrespect shown toward slaves, and readers may be surprised to know that parts of Savannah are built atop mass graves.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers looking for a ghost story will be disappointed. The book has more information about ghosts than it does about a spooky story. The mystery of the murder is the driving force of the plot, along with the children’s subplots mentioned above. The book’s second half becomes more interesting as things fall into place.

The final verdict:

Despite the backdrop of ghost stories and a murder mystery, the story of the three children is most engaging. I recommend this book to readers interested in learning about ghosts and children dealing with hardships. 

The Magic Library of Waterfall Way (The Prophecymakers) by Julie Abe

What worked:

Lyra is immediately cast into the role of underdog when she’s labeled Extremely Unremarkable. She’s the only Unremarkable in the empire, and the empire’s census shows it. She’ll be sent to the Mist if a guild doesn’t accept her, and every guild so far balks when they become aware of her status as Extremely Unremarkable. Readers will develop empathy for Lyra’s character because she’s desperate to find a place she can call home. Her parents are dead, and her older sister is in the Guild of the Crown, so she doesn’t have any family left. The Guild of Scholars is her last chance to avoid the Mist.

The Guild of the Crown is cast in a negative light, as its superiority is lorded over everyone else. This guild will probably become more of a focus in future books, but the Mist is the true antagonist this time. The Mist was once united with the Guilds, but they were separated hundreds of years ago. The Mist wants to control all of the magic in the world, although they’re appeased when the Guilds send them any Unremarkables who are not part of a guild. Readers and Lyra will learn more about the Mist throughout the book, as Lyra reads and hears stories about the past. The topic of Prophecymakers arises later in the plot, but it’s very important to the series.

Two supporting characters are important to the plot for different reasons. Wishlight is a sable that can transform into a book, with a tail. Lyra and Wishlight can communicate through their minds, and Wishlight possesses a bit of magic. Wishlight gives Lyra an unexpected quest that becomes the conflict’s main conflict. Flynn is the assistant to the Guild Master, and his dislike for Lyra is evident. He openly says he wishes she’d leave, even though they’ve both lost family members. There are moments when they seem to bond, but any camaraderie doesn’t last.

What didn’t work as well:

Lyra’s quest is unusual, as it involves reopening halls in the library that closed following a great fire. She makes attempts to find the keys, but she can always leave whenever she wants to have dinner or rest in her bed. Venturing inside the library presents dangers, but the ability to leave makes it unusual.

The final verdict:

The fact that Lyra is an orphan and only wants to find a new family and home will touch readers’ heartstrings. The premise of the book is fresh and innovative, and I recommend you give it a shot!