The Hatmakers by Tamzin Merchant Genre: Historical Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: February 2, 2021 Review Tamzin Merchant’s middle grade novel tells the story of the magical Hatmakers, who have served the royal family of England for generations. Into each hat, they are able to add magic through various ingredients, always carefully weighing, … Continue reading
Slippers and Thieves by Christina Bauer Genre: Modern Fantasy/Fairy Tale Re-telling Age category: Young Adult Release Date: November 26, 2019 Review Slippers and Thieves is the fourth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. In this world, certain individuals are born with a life template–a specific fairy tale will apply its rhythm and … Continue reading
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster Genre: Portal Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: September 1961 Review The Phantom Tollbooth holds a special place in my reader’s journey as a kid. It was read aloud to me in fifth grade–a grade when most kids think they’re too old to still listen to read-alouds. It’s … Continue reading
Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer Genre: Paranormal Romance Age category: Young Adult Release Date: August 4, 2020 Review At the time I first read Twilight, the book hadn’t quite exploded yet. A friend at my Bible study handed it to me when she found out I liked fantasy. And I have to confess, I would … Continue reading
A Neon Darkness by Lauren Shippen Genre: Urban Fantasy Age category: Young Adult Release Date: September 29, 2020 Review A Neon Darkness is actually my first visit to Lauren Shippen’s world. I was impressed with how easily I was able to step into it, even without the benefit of having read her first book, The … Continue reading
Legend of Akikumo by Dani Hoots Genre: Fantasy Age category: Young Adult Release Date: September 15, 2020 Review Confession time: I’m an otaku. For the uninitiated, that’s a die-hard fan of Japanese animation (aka anime). I haven’t been following the latest series as much as I used to, but the enthusiasm is still there. So … Continue reading
The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street by Cory Putman Oakes Genre: Paranormal, Humor Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: August 18, 2020 The Second-Best Haunted Hotel on Mercer Street is a fun book that isn’t afraid to make its characters fight hard for their goals. At the crux of the story is a competition … Continue reading
Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: September 29, 2020 Review Dungeon Critters is a fun-filled graphic novel that may take its inspiration from the standard tabletop RPG but ultimately creates into a fun and original world that stands on its own as well as … Continue reading
No Ordinary Boy by Tracey Mayhew Genre: Fantasy Age category: Chapter book Release Date: October 1, 2020 Review This is UFM’s first review of a book younger than middle grade. I’ve been reading a lot in this age category lately, both for my own research as I attempt to write a book in it and … Continue reading
Wayward Witch by Zoraida Córdova Genre: Portal Fantasy Age category: Young Adult Release Date: September 1, 2020 Review Wayward Witch is the final book in the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy by Zoraida Córdova. Each of three stories focuses on a different Mortiz sister. Having not read the first two, but intrigued by the description of the … Continue reading
Never Date a Siren by Byrd Nash Genre: Urban Fantasy Age category: Young Adult/New Adult Release Date: November 19, 2019 Review If you’re in desperate need of a refreshing new series (and who isn’t right now?), College Fae Magic by Byrd Nash may be just what you’re looking for. I was drawn into this first … Continue reading
Story magic by Laurel Gale Genre: Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: August 3, 2020 Review Story Magic by Laurel Gale has one of the more unique magical systems I’ve read about in a long while. In this world, spells are cast by calling upon invisible creatures known as “listeners” and enticing them to … Continue reading