Fun Middle Grade Fantasy
349341
Emma and Eadric are adjusting to being true loves and planning their wedding when a couple of things get in their way.

First, lovely Princess Adara arrives from Lower Muckworthy and tries to steal Eadric away from Emma.

Second, the fairy queen has disappeared and those campaigning to be the new fairy queen are causing dissension among the fairies. Emma, Eadric, with tagalong Adara set off on an adventure to find the fairy queen and restore order to the fairies. They are also trying very hard to discourage Adara in her plans to steal Eadric away.

This was a fun story filled with entertaining characters and situations. Fans of earlier books in the series will certainly enjoy this one too.
2453858
We've read the other books in this series and were eager to check out the third installment. The animal characters we've known from the other stories have a new mystery to solve in this one, as their friends in the forest start falling ill.

My kids have now enjoyed all three adventures in the series. They said this wasn't quite as good as the first two books, but still liked it very much. The chapters are fairly short and the book is quick to read. The characters are likeable and the plot interesting. It says this book is recommended for ages 7 to 12 and I think that's a great target. It's perfect for readers into chapter books, but could also make a good read aloud for younger readers not comfortable tackling it on their own.
2859587
A good, straight up YA novel. The characters are clearly young, but the setting and world building is imaginative and adventure is fun. Not particularly mind blowing, but I enjoyed the read enough to be interested in book 2: Skybreaker.
2585815
Alyssa McCarthy is back for another adventure in Wizardry Goes Wild. This time, shes cursed with magic, but she struggles to control it  a talented sorcrer she is not. Alyssa doesnt want to be a wizard at all, but she can only get rid of her powers if she raises her confidence and improves her bravery.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, so I was glad to see Alyssa again. Shes a wonderful, bright girl, and in this book, shes on a bit of a personal quest, making it easy for the reader to get to know her even better.

The blend of technology and magic works well, the plot is fast-paced, and the characters are very likeable. Middle graders will love this book. I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
3053360
Twelve year old Allies mother goes missing, and she must enter a world of magic to save her.

I instantly liked Allie. Shes a typical young girl, just entering the seventh grade. The vivid descriptions of not only setting but emotion took me back to when I first started junior high. It really is a big step, and Allie finds herself a bit over her head. Not to worry. She soon makes friends with Daniel, who is the target of some bullying. I really enjoyed the way Allie stood up for him. Thats a great role model for kids today, reminding them never to be afraid to do the right thing.

The first half was pretty straight forward, with a few confusing spots. Allie didn't know what was going on, and at times, neither did I. Luckily, as the story progressed things were explained, and I learned the source of the magic and how it came to Allies hands. There are some tidbits of history thrown in. Not enough to bore a young reader, but enough to justify whats going on.

The action scenes were nicely done. They kept me entertained and on the edge of my seat. Im so glad the violence in this book is tame. There is action, and some characters take a beating, but the violence doesnt go over the top. It stays PG throughout, and thats as at should be for this age group. I don't know why so many kids books go over the top. Ive read some with graphic violence, and thankfully, you won't find that here.

All in all its a fun adventure that kids ages 8-13 are certain to enjoy.

I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
1009273
I don't normally read middle grade fiction, however, I have children who are 10 and 11, so I read this as a preview for them. And I have to say, I was very pleased! It is a cute, fun story about two boys who encounter secrets and mysteries and set out to find some answers. Who doesnt love fantasy, dragons, and adventure?

Right from the beginning, Jem and Ray are in the middle of action and mystery. Every step of the way, they either encounter something new and mysterious or they learn the answer to some of those mysteries. The pace of the story flows nicely, which is perfect for keeping the interest in this age group.

Also a big part of the story is their aunt Ortie. Personally, Ortie was my favorite part of the book. She is mysterious herself, and you get the feeling right from the start that shes got something up her sleeve. I love how even though she is their great aunt, which implies that she is older, she still comes across as spry and sassy.

And I have to say, I absolutely love the little illustrations at the beginning of each chapter! They add a touch of unique character to the book. I read it on my computer, but I'm sure the art is beautiful in the physical book.

As an adult, fantasy is my favorite genre and has been for many years. I always love coming across an opportunity to expose my children to fun fantasy stories, and this is definitely one of those.

A previous reviewer suggested that DragonZ Eye might be better suited for boys than girls, but I don't believe that is the case. My ten year old daughter frequently reads books that have boys as the main characters. As long as the story is fun and catches her interest, she doesnt care if the main characters are boys or girls.
2444712
The Second Guard is a solidly written late middle grade alternate universe fantasy drawing upon both Spanish and pre-columbian cultures. The mixture creates a very unique and striking world into which we have politics, betrayal, and the strength of friendships. The characters are earnest and the author spent considerable effort to create a very vivid and well-drawn world (read: it's logical and coherent).

Story: In the City of Tequende, their peace in a continent fraught with continual war is earned through mandatory servitude of the second child of every family. Tali is on her way to join the army on her 15th birthday. Along the way, she befriends two boys also traveling to the capitol for their service. The three, though from different faiths and cultures, will soon become embroiled in the politics of Tequende as betrayals and scheming endanger both their families and their own lives.

The world building is quite distinct in The Second Guard. Using continental politics and setting the story in a pseudo-Spain - but then culturally overlaying the nature-mysticism of pre-columbian America makes for a fascinating mix. The religions of our three main characters dictate a lot of their perspective - from the studious moon sect, to the outgoing sunfolk and the grounded workforce of the lower caste in the Earth worshippers. As well, we have a Moorish transplant, a gypsy, and a nobleman. Each has talents and advantages that will help our main characters navigate Tequende and stay alive.

The book is very straightforward and info-dumps about the densely plotted world are limited to a few brief paragraphs introducing each chapter. They can be skipped but I felt they added quite a bit to the story. The book is a deceptively easy read - there's a lot packed into each chapter but author Vaughn has deftly woven action around the dialogue to keep young and older readers invested.

If I had one quibble, it would be that everyone is drearily earnest and comic relief was hard to find. Tali and her friends are quite serious nearly all the time and the book really could have used some off beat characters to lighten the tone (e.g., a Hagrid to the Harry Potter). There is a quirky professor but he's more a Dumbledore than a Hagrid.

The strength of this book is a very logical but fascinating world that for once, eschews the over-trodden English medieval fantasy trope. It was a pleasure to delve into this world and discover the twists at the end.

Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
4305712
When Validus's substitute teacher turns out to be a monster and tries to attack her, she and her friend Alex flee with two new students through a portal that takes them to another world. There the new students transform to their regular selves, a tiger and a horse, both of which can talk! Validus learns that she is a paladin, a person who is meant to protect Earth from the Blight, a darkness that seeks to destroy everything in its path. Validus isn't sure that she is a paladin, but there is no time to talk about it. The monster chases her into the fantasy world, and she must flee with the tiger and horse to the Cidadel for help.

Alex got separated from Validus and is befriended by a rock man. Together he and the rock man do what they can to help Validus and keep her safe. The question is: can Validus find the Sword of Six Worlds before the Blight destroys them all?

This was a super fun middle grade fantasy story. I enjoyed all the talking animals and the adventure. The story also had a nice moral at the end. I read this aloud to my kids, and they both loved it, especially when Validus was mistaken for a goat. Whimsical fun for young readers. If you have readers aged 8-12 around the house, give this book a try.
3288289
Oracle (The Sunken Earth is #1) is a fun YA Fantasy book by promising new author C.W. Triself. It is set in more or less modern times, in the Florida keys.  Our hero/protagonist is young (just entering High School) Ret Cooper, who appeared in a mysterious manner, and has unusual looks and (as the book develops) odd powers. He reminds me a bit of Kyle XY, and the Percy Jackson series.

What's fun & different here is that the kids are mostly the level headed serious types, while the adults are mostly weird, secretive and eccentric.  Admiral "Ben Coy", the school Principal, the Admirals valet (who is a Igor type) and so forth. This is fun and refreshing although since the author is new, perhaps it is taken a tad too far.  C.W also needs to work on pacing a little.

But what needs no improvement at all is the amazing imagination shown here. Not to mention the very well done characterization.  The idea of there being SIX "elements" is also intriguing and interesting.

I am sure C.W. (who is a little mysterious too) will have a great writing future ahead.
1729404
Abby Hunter is less-than thrilled when she receives a surprise admission letter from the Smith School for Children. Her mother encourages (bribes) her to try the new school, so she begins life as a Lower Middle (Seventh Grader) at the Smith School.

When one of the Seniors disappears, Abby and her friends decide to investigate. And Abby stumbles upon an unusual after-school activity. Abby discovers that Mrs. Smith not only runs the Smith School for Children, but a secret spy school for girls. Abby gets dragged into a situation that has her running for her life.

This was a delightfully fun adventure book for middle grade readers. It was a quick read, lots of action, and had an age-appropriate plot and interactions among characters. If it becomes a series, well be picking up the next adventures of Abby and her friends!

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
4742223
This is a story with a different feel from many fantasy books. It reminded me more of the traditional fairy tale style (heavy in the narration), but with modern remarks which keep it fresh while adding a pinch of extra humor. The writing is perfect for 4th graders and up. Although it feels too young for upper middle-grade or teens (the descriptions, narration and comments), the plot can hold the attention of older readers.

The world is well constructed. Due to the heavier narration, I never felt closely connected to the characters, but then again, the writing form doesn't really require this to happen, nor does it ever give the impression that this will be the case. This sets it off from many other stories.

The plot itself fits perfectly into the traditional knights/dragons fantasy tales. There are fight scenes, evil dukes and enough unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader flipping the pages.

I'd recommend it to 4th- 6th graders, although the length is a bit heavy for the age group. Any child who enjoys knights, swords and loves battles with evil forces will enjoy this story and the humorous comments.
4676845
The Door by Andy Marino is a middle-grade fantasy that explores the idea of an afterlife in a city very similar to the real world but fantastical in its own way. The Door also features a protagonist with some mental and social quirks, which hooked me immediately since that is something I don't see explored enough in speculative fiction. However, The Door stumbled into many of the typical middle-grade traps by not having a strong plot and failing to explore the interesting aspects of the premise. Oh, and there is literally no ending by the traditional definition.
Note: I received The Door from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The Door by Andy Marino
Published by Scholastic Press on April 29th, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, MG
Length: 288 pages
How I got my copy: Publisher

For years, the door has stayed closed. Hannah Silver hardly notices it as she goes about her strange life in an isolated lighthouse. But when a pair of mysterious strangers -- a boy and his guardian -- show up at the lighthouse, things start to go very wrong. Hannah's life is shattered. And the door is now wide open.

In order to save herself and her family, Hannah must walk through this door.

Into another world.

A world where she doesn't belong.

A world that wants to capture her and make sure she never makes it back home.

Strengths:
Cities in the afterlife seems to be a trend and The Door presents a pretty interesting middle-grade spin on the idea. The mysterious door in the lighthouse and guardians of said door were all intriguing and fun to get pulled into and then we find out that in order to progress through limbo, residents of this city work to perform some amazing and unique achievement, such as painting the most amazing painting or inventing glass controlled by nanotechnology. Very cool!
The writing of The Door is light and fast, as I typically expect from middle-grade. I enjoyed the descriptions of the city and its denizens since they evoked some really beautiful scenes.
The Door presents a magic system that is assumed to be very advanced technology or technology that conforms to different rules than our world and I had one particular favorite: 3D paint! The artists in this afterworld are able to paint with special material that leads to their paintings being literally 3D objects, but with a painting of that object superimposed. Its a bit difficult to explain, but so fun to read about!

Weaknesses:
I wasn't really sure how my relationship with The Door was going to end up until the end. Just because you put The End and no more words, does not an ending make! If you need closure of any kind at the end of a story, this is so not the book for you.
The last bit of The Door was also incredibly anti-climactic. It fell into that horrendous trap of a solution magically presenting itself that makes everything that happened pointless. The fun of middle-grade is for children to be empowered and go on adventures! When the MC doesnt end up actually doing anything, its a bit disappointing.
All the things that interested me at the beginning of The Door (Hannahs apparent mental disability, her relationship with her mother, the dynamics of this afterlife city) are left completely unanswered and unaddressed. Worse yet, Hannahs mental disability is basically cured as soon as The Door gets rolling and its source is never explored.
The adults and villains in The Door are completely flat and dull. I could practically see the mustache-twirling baddies and parents who just want to ruin all the fun for the kids. I expect better even from middle-grade.

Summary:
The Door had promise but failed to pursue any of the interesting aspects of the premise. It fell into all the typical problems with middle-grade that make people not interested in this genre and that disappoints me quite a bit. Im still rather flabbergasted at whatever those last 20 pages were supposed to be and you seriously should have seen my expression when I got to the end ;-). Im sad to say that The Door just doesnt represent middle-grade fantasy well at all.
2081036
A fun read! The main characters are grade school/middle school aged kids. The world of adults and magic scene and discovered through their eyes and the unfolding of the story makes for a fun read for kids and adults alike.
222548
This really is more of a middle grade read than young adult, but I enjoyed it enough to hand it 4.6 our of five stars.
Cora is an atypical 12-year-old (main reason I think this should be classified as MG) just like I was. A tomboy who has a fixation on dragons and dreams of being a dragon jockey. (Like I was horse crazy and dreamed of being a jockey.) Things change when an abandoned dragon egg hatches a (before unheard of to her) nurse dragon.
Enter the spoiled rich neighbor, a business-minded best friend, her mother the lawyer, a dragon-crazy son of a famous jockey and secrets that become gossip and you've got tension and conflict on every page. It took me a few chapters to get hooked, but after that, I didn't want to put it down.
Perfect for dragon lovers of any age.
2486258
I received a free copy for an honest review

This book was an overall a very well written fantasy book, that is very appropriate for middle schoolers or some lower schoolers. There are mild romances, and the book is mainly focused on a specific plot on multiple characters. And this is one of those books that involved many different perspectives; 7 in total (Layauna, Kai, Talia, Jade, Kaso, Kalaya, and Weston). Some of these characters don't even know the other characters, so I am assuming that they would meet somewhere in the second book.

Although the writing was a little bit young and 'child friendly', I didn't find it annoying (unlike some other books) because the plot-line was well written and the world-building is organized, understandable and interesting. And since I haven't read young writings like these in a while I was expecting myself to be bored by it, and that didn't happen. The characters have good narratives and they are realistic which helps them to be relatable, and I find myself connecting to every single one of them despite all the different POVs. In fact, one of the reasons I am not a big fan of multiple perspectives is because it can be confusing at times and often authors failed to connect or engaged with the readers because of the constant switching. Didn't see this problem here. A good book can make a reader feel attach to the characters despite the differences, and I feel like that's what the author did. I am also impressed by how the author managed to give all these characters different tones through the writing, since another possible flaw a writer can make in different POVs is the failure to give these characters distinct tones, different attitudes or general feelings so the readers can identify them. It is hard, since without different voices and sounds it'll be almost impossible, and if it's not achieved readers sometimes wouldn't even realize the perspectives have switched because the tones are exactly the same despite the different characters (trust me, that's possible. It has happened to me for a few times). Take Kai and Kalaya for an example. I can literally feel the age difference between them. I can feel the childishness within Kai when I was reading his perspectives, and then I feel a different feminine maturity when I was reading Kalaya's POV.

I also really enjoyed the plot-line and the world-building. The whole idea of 'colors', 'tests', 'and projections' is very original, and I've never read something like this before.

Even though this book only has mild romance (between Kalaya and her boyfriend, Jaremon), I still suggest this to all my readers (including those who live for romance, like me). A great book and it earn itself four strong stars.
4119651
I love this series.  Its perfect for girls ages 8+.  A great introduction to Greek mythology in a way that is entertaining and fun.

Artemis is Goddess of the Hunt and thinks she shouldnt have any fears while hunting, but she does.  Shes afraid to let anyone know shes not as brave as everyone thinks.  Enter, stuck on himself, exchange student Orion, when Artemis finds herself crushing on him suddenly she has a new round of fears to face.

I like that these books teach great lessons with strong heroines.  I highly recommend this series to middle grade readers and those looknig to enjoy a quick, fun book.

Content: Clean

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Source: From author for review as part of The Teen {Book} Scene Blog Tour
1507445
The author has created a gem for middle grade readers, and luckily for all, it is the first in a series! Magical castle Glower, princes and princesses, puppies and problems to solve, what more could anyone ask for? The writing is good, the editing professional and the plot engaging. My children loved this story and rushed out to find the next books in the series so they could keep reading about this charming and magical world.