CHRONICLES OF WHETHERWHY

In this second series entry, more than a decade has passed since Juniper and Rafferty’s adventures.

Elio Gale, 13, a white-presenting animal caretaker for the traveling Circus Astra, enjoys circus life but longs for something new. His risk-averse circus bookkeeper father tries to extinguish his dreams, but adventure soon finds Elio when the circus heads toward the queen’s court, prompting terror from his father. Unbeknownst to Elio, his ma’s pendant, which he wears, holds great power, and in fact, Elio himself may be the key to the island of Whetherwhy’s fate. Escaping with his friend Pom Li, who’s nonbinary, tone-deaf, and recently expelled from Bard School, Elio travels to Thistledown Academy of Enchantment. The pair meet characters from the first book who help them work to protect Elio, the island, and its magic from the nefarious, power-hungry queen. Although invested series fans will appreciate revisiting familiar characters, some may be frustrated by the time jump and change in protagonists. Elio and his friends are compelling, but the narrative occasionally gets bogged down in exposition, drawing focus from the stakes. The frame story again centers on a man who’s narrating the adventure to his grandchildren; while it detracts from the main narrative, it offers moments of emotional validation and sometimes invites reflection on how we engage with stories. A cryptic cliffhanger ending may leave readers dissatisfied. Wyatt’s illustrations add drama and intrigue.

A high-stakes, if sometimes frustrating, magical journey that’s brimming with messages of friendship and acceptance.