The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery

What worked:

Col’s guardians form an entertaining group of characters. Their banter and teasing are incessant and constantly stir up emotions. King of Rogues is a brave, loyal, short knight in full armor, and he suffers from insecurities that cause him to overreact to many comments. Don’t call him Rogue! Mr. Noakes is a talking badger with a keen sense of smell, and he loves to tease the King of Rogues. Pendlebury is a tiger that can transform from the size of a tiny mouse to become as large as a house. She can carry the main characters on her back and constantly acts as the calming influence for the Guardians. They’re later joined by Ruth, a mysterious, angry young girl, although the King of Rogues is leery of her intentions. Spies for the Midwinter King are everywhere.

The Midwinter King presents a formidable character, since he’s gaining strength from the negativity and violence of the war. He controls the Spirit World with an iron fist, and he won’t tolerate any spirits escaping the realm. However, Col’s three guardians have done just that, so the Midwinter King becomes obsessed with recapturing them. Even after discovering the Guardians aren’t actively doing anything to stop his plans of controlling the world, he can’t allow spirits to escape without punishment. The Midwinter King can enter Col’s dreams, and he uses that ability to harass Col with nightmares. Col fears he may give away the Guardians’ location if he falls asleep at night.

Young readers can learn a bit about World War II from the story’s descriptions and occasional pages sharing brief facts from that time. Nighttime is when the Midwinter King becomes stronger, but blackouts were essential during the war with Germany. Throughout the story, characters extinguish lights and cover their windows with dark sheets every night, camouflaging their homes from enemy bombers. It’s difficult to find food and shelter amid the destruction, and families feel safer living farther from the large cities. The people in Europe are overwhelmed by the power of German forces, and they pray that the United States will eventually enter the war and help.

What didn’t work as well:

The passages about World War II aren’t necessary. They’re not always directly related to events in the story, and the information isn’t detailed or specific. The plot would not be affected if these passages weren’t present.

The final verdict:

The story stresses love for family and friends. The book will appeal to readers who enjoy quests, humor, and unusual characters. I recommend you try it for yourself.

The Mystery of Insch Brae House by Susan Fiddes

What worked:

The author describes a mysterious, depressing setting for Muriel, as she’s sent to stay with a guardian she’s never met. Miss Floss demeans her at every opportunity to the point where Muriel is afraid to move about the house. The house itself is drab and dusty, with most of the rooms standing empty. However, food surprisingly appears outside her bedroom door, but it seems Miss Floss doesn’t know anything about it. Strange sounds and Muriel’s curiosity lead her to begin investigating the house.

The author uses short chapters, which should appeal to young readers. The conflict focuses on the history of Insch Brae House, since Muriel doesn’t understand why it’s in such poor condition now. She deduces that it may have been a school where Miss Floss once worked, but Muriel wants to know why she’s now so sad and bitter. A young boy from town joins Muriel halfway into the story, and together, they follow clues to uncover what happened to the house and Miss Floss. The truth involves bullying and a tragic love story and builds to a surprising climax.

What didn’t work as well:

The prologue and an early chapter describe Muriel’s father in India. He’s injured during an earthquake, and her mother travels there to be with him. However, her parents aren’t a major part of the story, and readers may be disappointed or surprised by that. Perhaps the parents will be more present in the book’s sequel.

The final verdict:

The plot isn’t a suspenseful mystery, but it features unique characters and a heart-warming ending. I suggest you give it a shot.

The Nightkeeper’s Apprentice by Jude Reid

What worked:

Eilidh joins her aunt and cousin on a barren, rocky island, and readers' speculation begins with her arrival. She’s told to never enter the lighthouse but isn’t given a reason. Most readers will join Eilidh, as her imagination comes up with many ways to explain why she can’t visit a lighthouse that doesn’t shine a warning light for ships. Adding to the intrigue is the question of what her aunt can possibly be doing in there every day. Readers know that something will happen, making Eilidh eventually break her promise to her aunt and venture into the strange tower. This will change the trajectory of the story.

Two characters contribute to the mystery and an unpredictable course of events. Magnus is Eilidh’s cousin, and he’s fairly quiet for much of the story. He clearly doesn’t want her around and spends much of his time stomping around the house or going off on his own outside. He knows about the lighthouse and its secrets, and he moves about the property as if he’s searching for something. Later, Cam joins the story, and he’s the ghost mentioned in the synopsis. He feels he hasn’t moved on because of unfinished business, but he has no idea what it might be. Ghosts always include a bit of uncertainty. However, Cam infuses some humor as he becomes acquainted with Eilidh.

There’s a simmering conflict behind the scenes between the Finfolk and the Landfolk, though it isn’t clear whether the humans are aware of it. Long ago, all creatures were Finfolk until some discovered a way to live on shore by trading their fins for legs. Eventually, Landfolk forced Finfolk to remain in the ocean, and they then took all the fish and polluted the waters. Finfolk have never forgotten. Sing-In-The-Shallows is infatuated by Landfolk, but she’s angered by their wars and killing. The author inserts pages between some chapters that explain what Sing-In-The-Shallows is doing and what she observes. Readers will remain curious as they discover how she fits into the story. A magical horn emerges as a major conflict, but readers must wait to find out what it means.

What didn’t work as well:

The Finfolks’ current attitude toward Landfolk is unclear. The pages about Sing-In-The-Shallows describe her curiosity about humans and how she helps them in times of need. However, she says the other Finfolk wouldn’t approve of her actions, but they don’t enter the story until the very end. Their feelings are still ambiguous even after that scene.

The final verdict:

Readers under ten years of age can still enjoy this book. It’s reminiscent of Irish selkie stories and creepy water creatures. The mystery of the Nighthouse will keep readers captivated, although readers will predict that Eilidh will make a questionable decision. I recommend you try this book for yourself.

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.