August 27, 2024 by Bloomsbury Children's Books
ARC provided by the publisher
Jaden and Elijah have been friends for a long time, even though Elijah no longer attends middle school in their Columbia Heights, D.C. neighborhood and instead attends a private boarding school. As the first day of 7th grade approaches, Jaden is even sadder that he won't be able to be with his best friend, and when Elijah isn't home when Jaden goes to his house for a planned sleepover, he's worried. It's worse than he imagines; Jaden's parents later come with the sad news that Elijah has drowned while visiting his grandparents. This doesn't sound right to Elijah, and when he is at the wake, he finds a notebook in Elijah's room with a note that says "Horrible evil is after me. Help me.". He then passes out, and his parents think it's just the toll that his friend's death has taken on him. It's more than that; on the way home, a burst of power shoots out of Elijah and causes a car wreck. When a mysterious man shows up at the house, while Jaden's family is frown, the truth comes out; Jaden has magic, and must attend the Five Emergences School of Magic, where Elijah really went to school, to learn to control it. He learns that his best friend was not only the most powerful sorcerer for generations, but also that he is suspected of siphoning magic off from others and working with the Ruin, who is draining magic from the world of Wonder. Professor Simeone Carmine whisks Jaden off to the school via puddle travel and flying Haizum. Their trip includes a stop at Matthias's Wandshop for the Boundless, where he can't get a wand to bond with him, necessitating his participation in a wand Bond Trial. He meets his roommate, Mikael, who informs him that Elijah was rather a local celebrity, but has fallen into disrepute. He also meets Silas Rivers, the fae prince of the Summerlands, who is sour and mean to Jaden at every turn, as are his friends. Life at the school is exciting, and Jaden throws himself into his studies in Sorcery and Spellcasting, Deterring Danger, Enchantment, and Elixirs, all while trying to find out what is going on with Elijah. He realizes that he worked closely with Luxor, a professor who vanished at the same time; the same time exactly, which comes to light when the students delve into the history of the enchantment bracelets that all of the students and staff must wear. Jaden also finds out that his magic is very rare Inheritance Magic, which means that Elijah most likely passed powers on to him. Eventually, Jaden is able to discover that Elijah wasn't siphoning magic from others, but was having his own powers siphoned by a surprising source. Will Jaden be able to stop the Ruin and save his friend?
Strengths: Like this author's Cameron Battle and the City Spies, this story starts with something rarely seen in middle grade literature; a close friendship between two boys. Jaden's family was great, and I was a bit sad when they were frozen and he was whisked away. A magical story where the protagonist has to save the world WHILE his parents are tracking his phone and demanding he be home in time for dinner would be fantastic! Silas is an easily identifiable nemesis, Mikael is a kind and supportive roommate, and the professors are surprisingly well developed characters who are fairly competent and useful. The draw for young readers will be all the details of the ancient bristlecone wand that Jaden bonds with, the investigation into what happened to Elijah, and the thwarting of evil that (is this really a spoiler?) Elijah is able to do.
Weaknesses: I've read dozens of magical academy books, and I'm also old and jaded and firmly believe that the world has absolutely NO magic in it. This had many middle grade magical academy tropes, but young readers who really, really want to get a letter like Jaden's inviting them to a magical school and whose souls are NOT dead will love all of Jaden's adventures as well as his successes in saving the world from destruction when all of the magic is sucked out of it.
What I really think: There is room for a sequel, as there is more work and investigation to be done at the school. If Perry keeps this series to two books, that would be perfect. I'll definitely purchase this for fans of Sanders' Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, Elle's Park Row Magic Academy, Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, Royce's Conjure Island, and the large number of magical academy books that have been published since 1998 as this has a few twists, a well developed magical world, and a generally upbeat tone, despite, you know, both the magical and real world being in danger of being destroyed and taken over by evil.
Weaknesses: I've read dozens of magical academy books, and I'm also old and jaded and firmly believe that the world has absolutely NO magic in it. This had many middle grade magical academy tropes, but young readers who really, really want to get a letter like Jaden's inviting them to a magical school and whose souls are NOT dead will love all of Jaden's adventures as well as his successes in saving the world from destruction when all of the magic is sucked out of it.
What I really think: There is room for a sequel, as there is more work and investigation to be done at the school. If Perry keeps this series to two books, that would be perfect. I'll definitely purchase this for fans of Sanders' Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, Elle's Park Row Magic Academy, Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, Royce's Conjure Island, and the large number of magical academy books that have been published since 1998 as this has a few twists, a well developed magical world, and a generally upbeat tone, despite, you know, both the magical and real world being in danger of being destroyed and taken over by evil.
I gave this four stars on Goodreads because I feel like this review verges on snarky. This is very well written, with an engaging world and intriguing characters, and there are even some twists on middle grade fantasy tropes. My snarkiness arises from having read too many books about tweens getting powers in middle school and having to save the world because magic is draining out of it.
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October 1, 2024 by Freedom Fire
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
A must read for fans of this author's Tristan Strong. Reminded me a bit of Bell's A Crooked Sixpence, with all of the magical elements. Very fun and fast paced fantasy adventure.
From the Publisher:
The award-winning author of the best-selling Tristan Strong trilogy has created a secret world where kids can wield magic by summoning the power of their ancestors
What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic.
On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.
At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.
When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.
A unique magic-school fantasy from the best-selling and award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy has just pulled into the station.
What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic.
On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.
At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.
When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.
A unique magic-school fantasy from the best-selling and award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy has just pulled into the station.
I bet a lot of kids will like Jaden's story! Carol Baldwin
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