The young hero of this charming, series-starting tale of magic will easily win readers over.
A newly orphaned girl struggles at a prestigious academy for the magically gifted in Robertson’s middle-grade fantasy debut.
Ariana Seaborne’s 13th birthday means that, like nearly everyone in the kingdom of Thalias, her Talent (magical ability) will show itself. However, just before her ceremony, she tragically loses her parents and her home in an unexplained fire. As people in Ari’s village dub her a “demon” for merely surviving the inferno, a kindhearted Captain of the King’s Guard takes her to Promisero Academy in the kingdom’s capital. Part of her deal in earning admittance involves becoming a Queen’s Lady, so she attends classes on magic, academics, and combat at the school, as well as private classes on royal etiquette and politics. She makes several trustworthy friends, including Prince Kaelen Trebellan, but she also must endure the fact that some students, and even some adults, are spreading a rumor that she caused the fatal incident in her village. However, Ari’s biggest obstacle is an inexplicable “block” on her Talent, which could spell the end of her time at Promisero. Robertson’s novel, which opens a prospective series, spotlights a wholly sympathetic protagonist who deals with bullies at school and blames herself for her parents’ deaths. Much of what unfolds is shown to be a learning experience for her; she’s a “commoner” who’s perpetually surrounded by people of wealth and privilege, and not just at the royal palace. At the same time, she gathers wonderful allies, including more than one whose loyalty never falters. Several of the author’s most vibrant passages linger on the landscape, with its “rolling foothills,” calm ocean waters, and a “mercurial spring sky.” As a result, it’s not until the final act that the story really gets going. Still, this first installment effectively leans into its genre elements, from compelling creatures (such as sprixies and fluffy, griffinlike gyrefells) to displays of magic as students take classes in all five of the known Talents, including fire and water.
The young hero of this charming, series-starting tale of magic will easily win readers over.Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2024
ISBN: 9781038308245
Page Count: 384
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Dec. 5, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A jam-packed opener sure to satisfy lovers of the princess genre.
Ice princess Lina must navigate family and school in this early chapter read.
The family picnic is today. This is not a typical gathering, since Lina’s maternal relatives are a royal family of Windtamers who have power over the weather and live in castles floating on clouds. Lina herself is mixed race, with black hair and a tan complexion like her Asian-presenting mother’s; her Groundling father appears to be a white human. While making a grand entrance at the castle of her grandfather, the North Wind, she fails to successfully ride a gust of wind and crashes in front of her entire family. This prompts her stern grandfather to ask that Lina move in with him so he can teach her to control her powers. Desperate to avoid this, Lina and her friend Claudia, who is black, get Lina accepted at the Hilltop Science and Arts Academy. Lina’s parents allow her to go as long as she does lessons with grandpa on Saturdays. However, fitting in at a Groundling school is rough, especially when your powers start freak winter storms! With the story unfurling in diary format, bright-pink–highlighted grayscale illustrations help move the plot along. There are slight gaps in the storytelling and the pacing is occasionally uneven, but Lina is full of spunk and promotes self-acceptance.
A jam-packed opener sure to satisfy lovers of the princess genre. (Fantasy. 5-8)Pub Date: June 25, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-338-35393-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: March 26, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2019
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn.
A young owl achieves his grand ambition.
Owl, an adorably earnest and gallant little owlet, dreams of being a knight. He imagines himself defeating dragons and winning favor far and wide through his brave exploits. When a record number of knights go missing, Owl applies to Knight School and is surprisingly accepted. He is much smaller than the other knights-in-training, struggles to wield weapons, and has “a habit of nodding off during the day.” Nevertheless, he graduates and is assigned to the Knight Night Watch. While patrolling the castle walls one night, a hungry dragon shows up and Owl must use his wits to avoid meeting a terrible end. The result is both humorous and heartwarming, offering an affirmation of courage and clear thinking no matter one’s size…and demonstrating the power of a midnight snack. The story never directly addresses the question of the missing knights, but it is hinted that they became the dragon’s fodder, leaving readers to question Owl’s decision to befriend the beast. Humor is supplied by the characters’ facial expressions and accented by the fact that Owl is the only animal in his order of big, burly human knights. Denise’s accomplished digital illustrations—many of which are full bleeds—often use a warm sepia palette that evokes a feeling of antiquity, and some spreads feature a pleasing play of chiaroscuro that creates suspense and drama.
A charming blend of whimsy and medieval heroism highlighting the triumph of brains over brawn. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-316-31062-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
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