Tag: fantasy

The Language of Spells

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Grisha is a dragon, living in a world where most people have forgotten how to see magic. Maggie is a girl, living in a world that wants her to be ordinary, even though she’s extraordinary. They encounter one another in the hotel that Maggie lives in… and their friendship might mean that there’s hope to solve a great mystery.

What I loved most:

There are some books that are written to children – where adults write down to their audience… and then there are books written with love for children. It’s like the difference between talking to a little kid while you’re standing up, and they have to crane their neck to look up at you… and squatting down when you’re talking to a kid, so that you’re at their level. The Language of Spells is the second kid of book. The language Weyr uses feels like a big cozy sweater and like an invitation to go on a bold adventure, all at the same time. It gives me the same kind of vibes of K. E. Ormsbee, who y’all know I love. This is a book that I’d highly recommend to literally any kid that I know.

Read this book if you like:

The House in Poplar Wood by K. E. Ormsbee, friendships, adventure, finding magic in the ordinary

Book details:

  • Author: Garret Weyr
  • Publisher: Chronicle Books
  • Date of Publication: June 26, 2018
  • Interest Level: Mid-elementary to early middle schoolers

Amari and the Night Brothers

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Amari’s big brother, Quinton, was always her guide and her protector. He’s been missing for months, and Amari doesn’t understand why people are giving up on him. She’s determined to keep searching. She never expected to receive a magical briefcase that Quinton left for her eyes only… and she definitely never expected to find out that werewolves and mermaids and magic are real. Amari and the Night Brothers is a super fun, immersive world that middle school kids will love sinking their teeth into.

What I loved most:

One of my favorite series is The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis – the name of this blog is pulled from a line in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I feel like every kid loves reading stories where a normal kid (like them) finds out that magic is real, and gets pulled into this mysterious new world without the limitations we have in our current world. Plus, I’m HERE for #OwnVoices books, strong female protagonists, and teaching kids not to accept the constraints placed on them by society, so this book gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars from me.

Read this book if you like:

The Chronicles of Narnia series, the Harry Potter series, strong female protagonists

Book details:

  • Author: B. B. Alston
  • Publisher: Balzar + Bray
  • Date of Publication: January 19, 2021
  • Interest Level: 5th – 8th graders

Woodwalker

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Mae was a Woodwalker – an elite guard, charged with protecting the Silverwood – until she was banished. If she ever returns to her homeland, she will be executed.

Mona is the rightful Queen of Lumen Lake. Her country was snatched from her in a hostile takeover, but she is desperate to get back home and reclaim her throne.

When Mae and Mona cross paths, Mona asks Mae to escort her back to Lumen Lake. The only problem is… Mae will have to lead Mona through the very lands she was exiled from. And if they’re caught, they’ll both face unimaginable consequences.

What I loved most:

This was one of those books you just sink into, finding yourself quickly immersed in the land. As I was reading it, I wanted to go wander in the woods like a Woodwalker, completely at peace with nature. It gave me Robin Hood meets cottagecore vibes (and that’s a sentence I never thought I would type). Plus, it’s the start of a completed series, so 1) you get to cruise through the entire series without cliffhangers, and 2) you get to immerse yourself in this world for an extended period of time. I’m in the third and final book right now, and Y’ALL, let me just tell you that this series will be one you will enjoy.

Read this book if you like:

Fantasy, books where romance isn’t the main point of the story, enemies-to-friends, personal growth, tales of rulers and kingdoms, strong female protagonists

Book details:

  • Author: Emily B. Martin
  • Series: Woodwalker #1
  • Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse
  • Date of Publication: May 17, 2016
  • Interest Level: Late high school to Adult