Imaginative but uneven.
A 12-year-old genie longs to live outside her lamp.
Eden, the latest heir in a centuries-old succession of genies, lives in a small gold lamp with her two guardians and is allowed to leave only temporarily to grant three wishes to the human who finds the lamp. Genie rules specify that after a genie has granted 999 wishes, she is free to live on Earth, but Eden doesn’t want to wait that long. In a defiant moment, Eden escapes the lamp and surfaces in California. Her escape sets in motion the Electric—a cabal of power-hungry former genies who wish to possess the lamp for their own purposes. Crowl’s imaginative storyline rings with both perception and humor as Eden makes her way on Earth (telling new friends she is from Sweden) and puts a twist on major events in history (it turns out that most were the result of wishes granted by genies). Crowl’s female-empowerment tone—all the genies are female, and the president of the United States is a former genie herself—is, however, subtly undermined by her frequent descriptions of the Hollywood-like stereotypical beauty of the genies. Eden eventually does the right thing, even if it isn’t what she wants, but then, in an ending that comes off too pat, she gets what she wants, too.
Imaginative but uneven. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-4847-1185-9
Page Count: 272
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2015
Another cozy, spooky adventure in an enchanting world.
The Pumpkin Princess faces a new foe and learns a lot about herself.
It’s been several months since the Forever Night, when the undead community of Hallowell came together to save Eve, the only living being in the valley. Her adoptive father, the Pumpkin King, hasn’t yet had great success with teaching her his magic, but when Eve starts seeing a strange green-eyed shadow creature and her body experiences unexpected changes that mirror those of various types of the undead, it’s time to call in reinforcements. Thankfully she has her two best friends—witch Lyla and vampire Vlad—for support (the trio present white). There’s a big evil lurking in secret, hidden places, though, which will put Eve’s new skills and loyalties to the test. Banbury’s bighearted tale features Rockefeller’s appealing spot art at the start of each chapter. The story opens by covering the worldbuilding and events from the first book, making it accessible to new readers but slowing the start, although the charming cast is as lovable as ever. Once the drama amps up, thrilling action scenes and surprising reveals keep the excitement level up. Joy and love are throughlines, even when the characters face scary or challenging situations. The plot has a strong emotional component as Eve continues to deepen her loving relationship with her dad and grows into a leadership role within the valley.
Another cozy, spooky adventure in an enchanting world. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780316573023
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Kids tackle problems both supernatural and real in this atmospheric story.
During a summer in coastal Maine, the kids of Spruce Point work to break a ghostly curse and save a family inn.
The Home Away Inn has been in 12-year-old Parker Emerton’s family for generations, and he wants to keep it that way, but unlucky occurrences mean money is tight, and Parker’s parents are contemplating selling. He worries about having to leave this place he loves. Along with his younger sister, Bailey; two cousins; and summer friend Frankie, Parker is convinced that a ghost has placed a curse on the place. The kids also suspect grouchy neighbor Mrs. Gruvlig of being a witch. In seeking to contact the ghost and investigate suspected supernatural phenomena, the kids end up solving some of the inn’s problems—just not the way they expected. Most of the phenomena turn out to have rational causes, but a bright green flashing light remains unexplained. The strange happenings draw television ghost hunters to Spruce Point, guaranteeing full rooms at the inn. This is a well-paced mystery with a strong sense of place and solidly developed, realistic relationships. Siblings, cousins, and friends work together closely—they have a high degree of independence but do not lack parental oversight. Parker is adopted, and his school counselor believes he has obsessive tendencies; these facts come up in passing. Main characters default to White.
Kids tackle problems both supernatural and real in this atmospheric story. (Mystery. 9-12)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8611-9
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: June 7, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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