Trying something new: can I write one sentence synopses of fantasy books with another sentence of opinion? As I've said before, there are so many great culturally connected fantasy books, but almost all of the ones that I've bought are gathering dust on my library shelves despite my best efforts to promote them.
July 1, 2025 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Bayani and his sister Isay team up with Aaron to investigate a mystery surrounding the celebration of Pistang Bayan in their hometown in the Philippines, but get whisked off to an island of eternal darkness and need to survive in order to do so. A scary adventure with plenty of Filipino culture intertwined.
From the publisher:
From the author of Marikit and the Ocean of Stars, a magical middle grade adventure about three Filipino children who must find their way through a mystical land filled with monsters and gods from Filipino lore.
The town of Santo Cristo is known for two things–their colorful town fiesta capped off with a solemn evening procession, and the dozens of people that have disappeared over the years. When three kids–the headstrong Bayani, his sister Isay, and anxious Aaron–find their way over the other side of a mysterious bridge and to a long-forgotten island of myth, they're faced with monsters, cryptids, and sinister characters. In this land of Night, they must find their way back to their world and keep their light burning bright lest they lose themselves too.
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Lim, Aimee. Thread of Destiny (Spindle of Fate #2)
July 8, 2025 by Feiwel and Friends
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
The town of Santo Cristo is known for two things–their colorful town fiesta capped off with a solemn evening procession, and the dozens of people that have disappeared over the years. When three kids–the headstrong Bayani, his sister Isay, and anxious Aaron–find their way over the other side of a mysterious bridge and to a long-forgotten island of myth, they're faced with monsters, cryptids, and sinister characters. In this land of Night, they must find their way back to their world and keep their light burning bright lest they lose themselves too.
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July 8, 2025 by Feiwel and Friends
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
After her adventures trying to find her mother's killer in the first book, Evie not only has to try to do her late mother's job as head weaver in the Guild, but has to deal with monsters that she has managed to bring with her. A good conclusion to an action packed duology with plenty of Chinese mythology and culture.
From the publisher:
Full of grotesque monsters and revenge, Evie Mei's journey to confront her mother's killer comes to an end in this middle grade novel from Aimee Lim.
Evie Mei has literally been to hell and back. And while the trip to Diyu, the Chinese underworld, alongside Kevin was a grueling feat filled with endless horrors, nothing compares to the fact that she was unable to bring her mother back.
She now has the great responsibility to assume the role her mother once held: head weaver in the magical Guild. Spinning people’s fates sure seemed easier said than done, and now Evie finds herself buried in Guild duties while trying to maintain a strained relationship with her best friend.
What could make a 13-year-old’s life even more complicated? Escaped monsters from the underworld that broke through when she returned to Earth. A mysterious yellow fog that seems to be turning their city upside down and hinting at an approaching massive force they aren't prepared to fight. Not to mention the looming man who sent her mom to the underworld in the first place (and her aunt’s fiancé). Can’t a girl catch a break?!
Aimee Lim’s fast-paced conclusion to Evie Mei’s story is filled with her signature sardonic voice, explorations of grief and relationships, and thrilling action that will leave readers rooting for the young girl whose courage outshines everyone.
She now has the great responsibility to assume the role her mother once held: head weaver in the magical Guild. Spinning people’s fates sure seemed easier said than done, and now Evie finds herself buried in Guild duties while trying to maintain a strained relationship with her best friend.
What could make a 13-year-old’s life even more complicated? Escaped monsters from the underworld that broke through when she returned to Earth. A mysterious yellow fog that seems to be turning their city upside down and hinting at an approaching massive force they aren't prepared to fight. Not to mention the looming man who sent her mom to the underworld in the first place (and her aunt’s fiancé). Can’t a girl catch a break?!
Aimee Lim’s fast-paced conclusion to Evie Mei’s story is filled with her signature sardonic voice, explorations of grief and relationships, and thrilling action that will leave readers rooting for the young girl whose courage outshines everyone.
July 8, 2025 by Quill Tree Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
For her 12th birthday, Rosa has to use her knowledge of the Coelho Family Bestiary to take on her first solo monster hunting job, and finds herself even deeper in the family business when her grandparents owe money to the government and risk losing their shop. This fantasy heist novel has plenty of Portugese culture as well as a feeling of Tamora Pierce's world of Tortall.
From the publisher:
Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.
Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa’s family needs to trap monstros.
So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family’s struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task… until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.
Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew—for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.
Encanto meets Oceans 8 in this middle-grade fantasy-adventure, set in a Portuguese-inspired world, following a tween girl who joins a notorious band of thieves to steal a priceless jewel and discovers corruption that must be stopped.
Rosa Coelho has spent her whole life hunting monstros, wandering the city streets with her best friend Tiago, and dreaming of a better life for herself and her grandmother. And in a society that favors the rich and educated, every piece of knowledge comes with a hefty price, even the most basic books Rosa’s family needs to trap monstros.
So when the powerful Ministério dos Monstros threatens her family’s struggling Encantadora shop, Rosa only has two weeks to scrape together the money for their debts. It seems like an impossible task… until Rosa tricks her way onto an infamous thief crew as their magical safecracker.
Thrust into the world of high class luxury and betrayal, Rosa is pulled into a scheme with the highest possible stakes: stealing from the Ministry itself. She must learn to trust her magical abilities and her crew—for if the heist goes wrong, everything she loves is forfeit.
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