Tag: middle grade fantasy

Book Review: The Mummy Snatcher Curse (The Wand Keepers #2) by Tiffany McDaniel

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 368 pages
Author: Tiffany McDaniel
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: September 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Spella the young witch must save her friends from a dangerous mummy snatcher in this second book in the whimsical Wand Keepers middle grade fantasy series perfect for younger fans of Witchlings and Eva Evergreen.

After Spella and her friends successfully rescued her magical hat-making aunt from the dangerous Dragon King, Spella is back! This time, she is off to relax and have some fun with her aunt and best friend, Tolden, in the vibrant and colorful Mummy City. But all is not as calm and weirdly wonderful as it seems in this magical place. After the defeat of Dragon King, another dangerous threat has appeared—the terrorizing mummy snatcher!

It’s up to Spella to stop this monster from kidnapping any more mummies—including Spella’s mummified, talking cat, Egypt—before the worst happens. If the mummy snatcher succeeds, it will awaken the slumbering giants beneath Mummy City, throwing the entire city into chaos! To save the city and her friends, Spella must out-magic her bullies and call upon her skills to defeat the mummy snatcher and get Mummy City back to its unique and whimsical self. But doing so means confronting a hard truth—the terrifying Dragon King may not be gone for good.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

A GEM.

I love finding good middle grade books that I can’t wait to hand off to my littles. This is the kind of fun adventure with low intensity that makes it a delight to read.

I really like this cast and the fun that they have. It’s imaginative and clever and unique. I love the whimsical vibes and the fast pace that keeps things moving. The interesting creatures throughout are cool to see and the pictures, footnotes and other bonus content really sets this up for a great younger audience read.

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel: Part 1 (Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novels #1) by Shannon Messenger

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 352 pages
Author: Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: November 7th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The first book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series is being reimagined as a graphic novel with the first half of the epic novel adapted to this new format with beautiful artwork!

Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret—at least, that’s what she thinks…

But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known.

This stunning graphic novel retelling of the first half of the thrilling first novel comes to life with all the adventure and epic worldbuilding the Keeper of the Lost Cities series is known for.

Thank you to Simon Kids for the gifted copy!

THIS WAS FUN.

I have enjoyed reading this series over the years and think it was fun to see Keeper of the Lost Cities transformed into a graphic novel. I think it covered the necessary points from the beginning of book one (though I admit that could be because I have prior knowledge since I read book one before the graphic novel). I like that this makes it more accessible for younger readers who may not feel up for 600+ page books just yet.

I thought the art was amazing and it still held that same charm from the series. I look forward to seeing the future installments in this format.

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Graphic Novel
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: The Dark Talent (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #5) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG/YA Fantasy
Length: 304 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Alcatraz Smedry has successfully defeated the army of Evil Librarians and saved the kingdom of Mokia. Too bad he managed to break the Smedry Talents in the process. Even worse, his father is trying to enact a scheme that could ruin the world, and his friend, Bastille, is in a coma. To revive her, Alcatraz must infiltrate the Highbrary–known as The Library of Congress to Hushlanders–the seat of Evil Librarian power. Without his Talent to draw upon, can Alcatraz figure out a way to save Bastille and defeat the Evil Librarians once and for all?

WHOA.

I really enjoyed this “ending” (there’s a book six that seems to be from Bastille’s POV???). I loved that every aspect felt more intense and there was this impending sense of need surrounding solving the problems before Alcatraz. This took some twists I wasn’t expecting and I liked being blindsided by them.

I still love Alcatraz and his growth throughout. Is acknowledgement of the wrongs around him and his dedication to trying his hardest to make things right. I love this cast and the quirky/funny aspects are still present throughout.

Looking forward to wrapping this series up!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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Book Review: The Knights of Crystallia (Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians #3) by Brandon Sanderson

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: MG Fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher: Starscape
Release Date: July 5th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

In this third Alcatraz adventure, Alcatraz Smedry has made it to the Free Kingdoms at last. Unfortunately, so have the evil Librarians–including his mother! Now Alcatraz has to find a traitor among the Knights of Crystallia, make up with his estranged father, and save one of the last bastions of the Free Kingdoms from the Evil Librarians.

STILL LOVING.

Three books in and I am hooked on this series. I love how fun they are. I am laughing throughout, I am loving the themes and the friendships and the general demeanor of this story. Sanderson’s ability to write across different age groups is incredible and I love that versatility in his writing.

I adore Alcatraz and his family, I liked this continuation and seeing how the larger plot is still moving forward. These are short and fast paced which makes them feel like they are flying by. Can’t wait for more!

Overall audience notes:

  • MG Fantasy
  • Language: none
  • Romance: none
  • Violence: low

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