BLOG TOUR Nightweaver (Nightweaver #1) by RM Gray

 

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Nightweaver, the first book in the Nightweaver series by R.M. Gray. Check out my post to learn more about the book, my thoughts on the book, the author, and learn how you can get your own copy. Make sure you show the other tour hosts some love as well. The link to the tour schedule is below. Happy reading everyone!

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Violet Oberon had never stepped foot on land.

Six hundred years after the Nightweavers claimed human lands for their own, the ocean is a haven for seventeen-year-old Violet and her family. Notorious pirates of the Western Sea, the Oberon clan are undefeated in battle—until an Underling murders Violet’s brother, and she discovers there are monsters more fearsome than the Nightweavers that have taken them captive.

When the son of a wealthy Nightweaver shows Violet and her family mercy, offering employment at his estate rather than enslavement, Violet vows not to forget that he is everything she hates. But as she adjusts to her new role as a kitchen maid at Bludgrave Manor, she finds that hatred is a curious thing. Arrogant, entitled, right hand to the wicked prince, William Castor might be the key to avenging her brother-and reclaiming her freedom.

But mercy always comes with a price. As Violet hunts the Underling responsible for her brother’s death, dark secrets threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew about the Nightweavers, herself, and her world. Torn between family loyalty and a chance at revenge, the cost of learning the truth about her brother’s murder could be her life.

Content Warning: murder, blood and gore, death

Genre: YA Fantasy
Publishing date: October 13, 2023

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BOOK REVIEW
Rating: 4 Stars

Nightweaver by R.M. Gray was a very intriguing read. With a Pirates of the Carribean vibe (very Curse of the Black Pearl), its an intriguing fantasy novel and a great debut. There's also hints of romance throughout the story, but the lore and the emphasis on family loyalty are two big themes in this novel.  

The worldbuilding in this book is fantastic. Readers are thrown straight into the action of the story, with Violet and her family's ship being attacked by the feared Nightweavers. After they (unsurprisingly) lose the battle and are brought to shore, Violet is shocked to learn that all the stories she's heard for years are not as they seem on land. While they are spared by the generosity of a Nightweaver noble, Violet's loathe to trust him since "Kindness is the great deceiver". They are forced to work together, however, when humans on the estate keep getting attacked by monsters out of myths and legends. 

The characters were also great. You could feel Violet's resentment towards her family towards settling in as servants to the Nightweaver so easily, while also recognizing that they'd been fighting for a very long time. Will was an enigma of a character whose motivations were unclear during parts of the book. And the mystery of Captain Shade's identity was a fun one to unravel, as I guessed wrong multiple times before the big reveal. 

Overall, this was a fun read. I'm excited to see what's next in the series. This book is a great read for young adult fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy adventure, mystery and romance. If you enjoyed Pirates of the Carribean or The 100, this would be a great option for you. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and the team at TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of this book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

R.M. Gray lives in Texas with her husband and two giant dogs, where she enjoys writing stories about pirates, magic, mystery, and all things fantastical. A self-proclaimed expert at whistling and a dedicated collector of lightsabers, she spends her days drinking too much Earl Grey tea, re-watching old cartoons, and thinking up new ways to break readers’ hearts. She invites you to visit her online at rmgraybooks.com or @rmgrayauthor.

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BLOG TOUR Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe

Hi friends! 

Welcome to my stop for the blog tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe. Check out the tour post to learn more about the book, the author, and how you can get your own copy. Make sure you show the other hosts some love as well - the link to the schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours) 

About the Book

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: August 22nd, 2023

Rep: Japanese, Japanese-American, Asian

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

A thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology, perfect for fans of the Zachary Ying series.

Tessa Miyata has never fit in. When she and her two sisters are told they will be staying at their grandparents in Japan, Tessa is thrilled. A summer in Japan could be her chance to go on an adventure worthy of impressing her classmates back home.

Her hopes are quickly dashed when, all too soon, she realizes that life in Japan is just like being in California: her sisters are old enough to go into Tokyo, while she can’t even go to the corner store by herself. Plus, her grandparents want her to stay home with the neighbor kid, thirteen-year-old Jin Uehara, who’s made it clear he’s too cool to spend time with a weirdo like her.

When Tessa is finally allowed to go to Tokyo, it’s only to join her grandpa’s retiree aerobic class with none other than Jin. Their disastrous forced hang out comes crashing to a halt when Tessa and Jin break the Miyata family’s precious heirloom—accidentally releasing the malicious samurai god Taira Masakado and discovering a hidden part of the city where gods and mythological creatures walk among humans—including their new companion, a mythical nine-tailed fox who may be more trouble than he is help.

Despite doing everything to avoid spending another minute together, Tessa and Jin must now work together to stop Taira Masakado before he traps them—and the rest of Tokyo—under his command, forever.

Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Graci Kim, this brand new fantasy adventure will grip readers from the very first page and never let go.

REVIEW of Tessa Miyata is No Hero by Julie Abe

Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date:  August 22, 2023
Format: eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Julie Abe’s Eva Evergreen series was an entertaining set of middle-grade fantasy reads, so it was very exciting to learn she was releasing another middle-grade book in the form of contemporary fantasy Tessa Miyata is No Hero. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Yoon Ha Lee, Xiran Jay Zhao or Graci Kim, this book celebrates Japanese culture and stories at its heart. 

From the perspective of being a fantasy book, the author introduces readers to many figures from traditional Japanese stories and folktales. For example, the villain of the story is a former samurai who was inadvertently freed from his prison due to Tessa’s actions. Many of the moments in the story also serve as love letters to Japanese culture and food. The author makes some of the less widely recognized elements easy to understand for readers of any age, and doesn’t try to oversimplify things to the point of dumbing it down (which I appreciate). 

While I was entranced by the fantasy elements of this book, the author also captured my attention with how well she encapsulated the feeling of not belonging when you are middle school age. Tessa in particular is incredibly lonely, and lacks a sense of place both from a cultural and social standpoint. I related to this so much, especially when so many figures were telling her no matter what she would not be a hero to the point she almost believes it herself. As an underdog, she had a lot to work through but I was rooting for her the entire way.  

Sura Siu did an excellent job bringing Tessa’s adventures to life with her performance in the audiobook narration. I was very surprised by the ending of the book, though there's no major cliffhanger to worry about. As this is supposed to be the first part in a new series, I’m curious to see what happens next for Tessa and her friends in the next installment. If you’re looking for a book that honors elements of Japanese culture and mythology, this would be a great choice. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Young Readers, NetGalley, and TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Tessa Miyata is No Hero immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author

Julie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.

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REVIEW New Dragon City by Mari Mancusi

New Dragon City by Mari Mancusi
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: October 4, 2022
Format: Hardcover (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

In Mari Mancusi’s New Dragon City, New York City has turned into a post-apocalyptic world where dragons rule the sky and humans fight for survival on the ground below. Noah and his father are part of a group of humans who stay alive by hiding underground during the dragon’s most active times and head to the surface when the dragons are hibernating. Noah thinks this will be how life is for the foreseeable future, but one chance encounter with a young dragon changes things forever.

Post apocalyptic novels are fairly common nowadays, with many books featuring some element of that genre. The most common reasons for the destruction of society are things like aliens, disease, mythological figures (think the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse) and extreme climate change. Dragons, however, are a new concept as far as the apocalypse goes so that added an element of originality and novelty to the book. 

The story is told from Noah and Asha’s points of view and I thought it was really interesting how the author paralleled the situations of the dragons and the humans. Both humans and dragons are just trying to survive in the world, and do the best they can with the situation they have been given. A big question comes up of who is the actual monster in the situation - dragons see the humans as monsters, and vice versa. Noah and Asha are both young with big decisions on their shoulders so the slower moments in the book where they just got to be kids were nice to see as a reader. I In listening to the audiobook, Soneela Nankani and Alex Boyles did a great job bringing Asha and Noah’s perspectives to life with their performances in the narration. 

New Dragon City has adventure, fast-paced action, and is a story centered around family, friends, and how a better future for all should be everyone’s goal. The author even peppers in some easter eggs giving nods to other stories with dragons in it. In conclusion, it’s an excellent choice for middle-grade fantasy readers, and it’s definitely in the same vein as How to Train Your Dragon or Wings of Fire. As far as I can tell at the time of reading the book, it’s set as a standalone but I wouldn’t say no to more books set in this world in the future. 

About the Book

Set off on a high-stakes, action-packed adventure in this story about friendship, survival, and fighting for ones you love, perfect for fans of Wings of Fire and How to Train Your Dragon. 

No one predicted the dragon apocalypse. The dragons came suddenly and decimated the world as we knew it, including New York City. Now, three years later, Noah, his hardcore survivalist father, and a ragtag group of survivors are barely scraping by in this new reality. Kids scavenge not only for materials in abandoned homes but also for leftover books at the library. Adults spend their time establishing a make-shift society and defending their shelter... with any means available. At least for the few months the dragons are hibernating, until it’s no longer safe aboveground.

Noah has seen the damage these creatures can do firsthand. When it comes to dragons: It's kill or be killed. But a chance encounter between Noah and a young dragon causes him to question everything he thought he knew. With rumors spreading that there’s a group of survivors living in harmony with dragons instead of hiding underground, Noah teams up with his fire-breathing ally to find out if peace between humans and dragons is really possible. But the division runs deeper than scales versus skin because trying to follow his heart might just cost Noah his family too. If Noah and his father can’t see eye to eye, can he really get humans and dragons to? 

About the Author

Mari Mancusi grew up where the north wind meets the sea (otherwise known as Massachusetts), but has since made her home in the great state of Texas, mostly due to her love of summer. (And tacos.) A former Emmy Award winning TV news producer, today she is the author of more than two-dozen books for kids, teens, and adults, mostly of the sci-fi/fantasy variety. In addition to writing, Mari loves traveling, video games, and cosplaying. She is also Mom to an eight year old Frozen superfan who, when recently asked by her teacher to describe her hero answered: “My Mom!” (Okay, fine, she said Kristin Bell.)

You can find Mari online at www.marimancusi.com. 

BLOG TOUR Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom by Nina Varela

Hi all! I'm pleased to be hosting a spot on the blog tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom by Nina Varela. Be sure to show the other tour host's pages some love as well - the link to the tour schedule is below. 

Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom by Nina Varela Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Retelling
Release Date: February 14, 2023
Representation: Queer, Lesbian, Anxiety

A thrilling fantasy adventure from acclaimed author Nina Varela that explores friendship and queer identity, perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Rick Riordan’s Trials of Apollo series!

When Juniper Harvey’s family moves to the middle of nowhere in Florida, her entire life is uprooted. As if that’s not bad enough, she keeps having dreams about an ancient-looking temple, a terrifying attack, and a mysterious girl who turns into an ivory statue. One night after a disastrous school dance, Juniper draws a portrait of the girl from her dreams and thinks, I wish you were here. The next morning, she wakes up to find the girl in her room…pointing a sword at her throat!

The unexpected visitor reveals herself as Galatea, a princess from a magical other world. One problem—her crown is missing, and she needs it in order to return home. Now, it’s up to Juniper to help find the crown, all while navigating a helpless crush on her new companion. And things go from bad to worse when a sinister force starts chasing after the crown too.

Packed with adventure and driven by a pitch-perfect voice, this middle grade debut from Nina Varela is about one tween forging new friendships, fighting nightmarish monsters, and importantly, figuring out who she is and who she ultimately wishes to be.

Content Warning: Violence (involving swords), blood, physical combat; Brief mentions of animal suffering; Discussions of anxiety, panic attacks

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REVIEW of Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom by Nina Varela
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: ARC (Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours)

I had previously read author Nina Varela’s Crier’s War series, so it was super exciting to learn that she was releasing a new middle-grade fantasy book. While Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom takes a bit to get into, it's a super fun, heartwarming, almost borderline cozy fantasy perfect for young readers. I really appreciated the great worldbuilding, the supportive cast of characters, and the queer representation for readers who really need to see themselves reflected in books. 

Juniper Harvey, or “June” is a middle schooler (somewhere around 12?) who's been struggling recently with her family’s move and finding friends at her new school. with recent dreams about a mysterious girl, she at times feels like she’s going a bit crazy until said girl (enter Princess Galatea of Kypros) shows up in her life asking for her help. The adventure that follows is fast paced and enjoyable, and I really liked how the author captured the experience of struggling with your self identity at that age. Juniper in particular struggles because she’s starting to realize that she’s queer, but she has a lot of support which I loved seeing. In particular, there was a cute moment with her mom in the car where she expresses her support no matter who she loves - “So? You can have a crush on whoever you want. Well as long as they’re cute. And nice. They have to be cute and nice. You got that, Junebug?”

The worldbuilding in this book was also a nice touch. It’s not super complicated where younger readers might get confused, but it's engaging and has some very amusing whimsical touches (ala nightmare spirits in the form of flying sheep). The author does hint at a slightly larger pantheon of gods present in Galatea’s world but only three really come into play in this book. The prophecy that looms over the course of the story was a bit predictable, but I also recognize I’m an older reader coming at the story from a different perspective and it wouldn’t be as much fo an issue for someone younger. 

Overall, this was a great read and I’m sad it took me so long to get into it. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoyed books like B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers or Rick Riordan’s The Trials of Apollo series. It’s unclear whether or not this book will be continued into a series, but I hope it will be as I’d love to learn more about the different gods in Galatea’s realm. Either way, I think the author did a good job putting the ending of the book together such that it leaves the door open but readers feel like they have closure with the characters. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the blog tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed Juniper Harvey and the Vanishing Kingdom. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author 

Nina Varela was born in New Orleans and raised in Durham, North Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood running around in the woods. These days, Nina lives in Los Angeles with her tiny, ill-behaved dog. She writes stories about queer kids, magic, and the magic of queer kids. You can find Nina on twitter (@ninavarelas) or at http://www.ninavarela.com.

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REVIEW Belladonna (Belladonna #1) by Adalyn Grace

Belladonna (Belladonna #1) by Adalyn Grace
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: August 30, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + Hardcover (Personal Library)
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

If you like young adult murder mysteries complete with romance and a bit of a paranormal aspect then Belladonna is the book for you!

I loved Adalyn Grace’s debut duology novels All the Stars and Teeth and All the Tides of Fate, so it was exciting when she announced her next book. Belladonna, Ms. Grace’s gothic fantasy romance lives up to the expectations of being compared to Bridgerton and Knives Out. The story does a great job of pulling readers in, making them care about the characters, and getting them just as invested as Signa is in figuring out what’s been happening. 

Signa Farrow’s story is set in an alternate universe, a magical version of Victorian England. After being orphaned at a young age, she’s been marked by Death (in more ways than one) and bounced around from home to home after tragedy befalls her guardians. Determined to make it long enough to access her fortune (that becomes available to her at the age of inheritance), she moves in with the Hawthornes at Thorn Grove. Once there, the realization that family matriarch Lillian died from the same illness plaguing daughter Blythe leads Signa to realize there is a murderer on the loose. Signa is forced to embrace her powers and work with Death himself to solve the case before it’s too late and the killer claims another victim. 

The murder mystery portion of this book was reminiscent of an Agatha Christine novel. Everyone’s a suspect, and the grand majority of them have both motive and opportunity. Signa’s struggles to fit into a high society run simultaneously with her investigations. I wasn’t as invested in the tea parties and the dance lessons - I was more entranced by the investigations, her budding relationship with Death, and her own growing powers. 

Death’s relationship with Signa was definitely a highlight of the book. They are both lonely souls and find solace in that shared connection. In particular, I loved how mysterious and alluring Death was. It was amusing when he would comment on certain events and Signa could hear. Signa and Death come a long way over the course of the book - she starts out hating him, and blaming him for all the bad things that have happened to her guardians in the past. Once she’s forced to rely on him for help in finding the murderer, she starts warming up to him and realizes he’s not as bad as she thought. This progression (and the way Death insists on calling Signa ‘little bird’) make me excited to see how their relationship will move forward in subsequent books. 

I’m so glad I decided to simultaneously read the hardcover and listen to the audiobook for Belladonna - Narrator Kristin Atherton did a great job with her performance in the audiobook. I was actually more taken by her voice for Death rather than the voice she did for Signa. Her acting during his lines and scenes really added to the ambiance and helped elevate Death’s character for me. The book's ending was great - it wasn’t so much a cliffhanger, but more some open story threads to lead into the next book Foxglove. I’m excited and counting down the days to see what happens next in Death and Signa’s story in 2023! 

About the Book

New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.

Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

About the Author

Adalyn Grace is a New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth, which was called “2020’s biggest YA fantasy” by Entertainment Weekly.

Prior to becoming an author, Adalyn spent four years working in live theatre, acted as the managing editor of a nonprofit newspaper, and studied storytelling as an intern on Nickelodeon Animation’s popular series The Legend of Korra.

Local to San Diego, Adalyn spends her non-writing days by watching too much anime, and by playing video games with her two dorky dogs.

Check out the author's website here!

BLOG TOUR Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp

Hi friends! I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the blog tour for Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza by Laekan Zea Kemp, organized by TBR and Beyond Tours. Check out the post, and makes sure to show the other tour hosts some love as well! The link to the schedule is below. 

Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
Release Date: September 27, 2022
Representation: Chicane, Mexican, Latinx

Fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Paola Santiago and the River of Tears, and Disney’s Encanto will be captivated by this fantastical novel about a girl who must learn to trust her ancestral powers when she comes face-to-face with the Mexican legend La Lechuza. 

Omega Morales’s family has been practicing magic for centuries in Noche Buena. But over the years, the town’s reputation for the supernatural is no longer one the people carry with pride. So Omega’s family keeps to themselves, and in private, they’re Empaths—diviners who can read and manipulate the emotions of people and objects around them. But Omega’s powers don’t quite work, and it leaves her feeling like an outsider in her own family.

When a witch with the power to transform herself into an owl—known in Mexican folklore as La Lechuza—shows up unannounced, Omega, her best friend Clau (who happens to be a ghost), and her cousin Carlitos must conduct a séance under a full moon in order to unravel the mystery of the legend.

Suddenly Omega’s magic begins to change, and the key to understanding her powers is more complicated than she thought. Omega will have to decide what’s more important—trusting the instincts of others or learning to trust in herself.

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REVIEW of Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: ARC (Finished Copy Courtesy of Publisher and TBR and Beyond Tours)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for young Readers

Laekan Zea Kemp’s middle grade debut novel Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is the perfect book for fans of Tehlor Kay Mejia’s Paola Santiago and the River of Tears and Kaela Rivera’s Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls. Filled with magic, adventure, figures out of folklore and legend, and a very lovable trio at the heart of the story, readers of all ages will connect with this book. 

On first look, Omega Morales seems like your average middle school girl. But the citizens of Noche Buena know that her family is different; specifically, that all of them have psychic talents to some degree. Things are rough for Omega though, because she’s still an anomaly in her family. She’s the only half-human, and as such her powers are weak (and unstable at best). When strange things start happening in town, she and her friends Clau and Carlitos must work together to unravel the mystery and save everyone. 

One of my favorite parts of reading books based on folklore and legend is the opportunity to learn more about different cultures and their history. La Lechuza was a relatively unknown figure to me, especially when compared to La Llorona and El Cucuy. It was fun to learn more about them, their background, and their shapeshifting powers (they are well known for appearing as an owl). Other figures like alebrijes and ghosts make an appearance in the book, and on a mundane level Omega’s family plays heavily into the story.  

The characters are the heart of the story. Omega’s always felt like the odd one out, and that plays heavily into the story. Clau’s ‘ghostliness’ also plays a role in the book, and Carlitos was a great addition to round out the trio. La Lechuza is, at first glance, the villain of the book and a ‘monster’ but she’s actually a very misunderstood figure. The same applies to Abby, Omega’s former friend who has turned to tormenting her in the wake of her grief (following the death of her mother a couple of months ago). 

Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza is an amazing debut, and I’m so excited to read more in this series. I loved the artwork interspersed throughout the book (courtesy of Vanessa Morales) that helped add depth to the story. I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy fantasy tales inspired by myth and folklore, complete with ghostly sidekicks, magic, and a bit of adventure. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Omega Morales and the Legend of La Lechuza immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

CW: Bullying, Grief

About the Author

Laekan Zea Kemp is a writer living in Austin, Texas. Her debut novel, Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet was a 2021 Pura Belpré Honor Recipient. In addition to writing she’s also the creator and host of the Author Pep Talks podcast, as well as a contributor to the Las Musas podcast. She has three objectives when it comes to storytelling: to make people laugh, cry, and crave Mexican food. Her work celebrates Chicane grit, resilience, creativity, and joy while exploring themes of identity and mental health.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW Eva Evergreen Semi Magical Witch (Eva Evergreen #1) by Julie Abe

Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch (Eva Evergreen #1) 

by Julie Abe
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 4, 2020
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Check out the book on Bookshop.org

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“No matter how far I flew, I never seemed to be able to catch up to her”

Julie Abe’s middle-grade debut, Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch, is a whimsical and entertaining coming-of-age tale that emphasizes the importance of defying expectations, owning your talents and uniqueness, and the power of community. If you’re a fan of fantasy titles or the Studio Ghibli collection (especially Kiki’s Delivery Service), then I think you’ll enjoy this book. 

Eva Evergreen is the daughter of grandmaster Nela Evergreen, and she’s an apprentice looking to graduate to the next rank. The only problem is that she has a pinch of magic compared to her mother. As part of her quest to become a novice, she arrives in Auteri and becomes the town witch. However, she has her work cut out for her because the townspeople are very reluctant to trust her. They eventually warm up to her over the course of the month, enjoying her ‘semi-magical’ fixes, and everyone bands together once they realize ‘The Culling’ (the yearly storm that everyone fears will hit their town) is headed their way. 

I really enjoyed Eva’s growth in this book. She’s able to make her own path and come out of the shadow of her mother’s position and power, and that was so exciting to see. To quote Edward de Bono, “Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.” Eva couldn’t fix the town’s problems in the usual way, so she came up with creative fixes. You go, girl! Semi-Magical Witch for the win. My favorite ‘fix’ was the spell that went slightly awry but ended up creating a tasty new treat everyone ended up loving. 

The rhyming nature of the magic in the book was fun. Each rhyme helped add to the whimsical nature of the book (I’m also impressed with how many rhymes the author came up with). It was cool to see the structure of the witch's and wizard’s society (grand master witches, novice witches, apprentice witches…) In addition to the magic system, there is also some traces of Japanese influence in the world of Eva Evergreen. For example, many of the town names are Japan-inspired. There are also various foods in this book that seem inspired by Japanese culture. 

All in all, Eva Evergreen Semi Magical Witch was a wholly magical debut from Julie Abe. Narrator Caitlin Kelly did a great job bringing the story to life with her performance in the audiobook. If a fantasy tale about defying expectations and creating your own path in the world sounds like something you would enjoy, then visit Eva Evergreen’s world today! I’m excited to be able to revisit the world in Julie Abe’s most recent novel, Alliana Girl of Dragons (a separate storyline set in the same world) as well as the sequel Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch.  

About the Book

Sometimes all you need is a pinch of magic...

Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before she turns thirteen years old. If she doesn't, she'll lose her magic forever. For most young witches and wizards, it's a simple enough test:

ONE: Help your town, do good all around.
TWO: Live there for one moon, don't leave too soon.
THREE: Fly home by broomstick, the easiest of tricks.

The only problem? Eva only has a pinch of magic. She summons heads of cabbage instead of flowers and gets a sunburn instead of calling down rain. And to add insult to injury, whenever she overuses her magic, she falls asleep.

When she lands on the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, the residents expect a powerful witch, not a semi-magical girl. So Eva comes up with a plan: set up a magical repair shop to aid Auteri and prove she's worthy. She may have more blood than magic, but her "semi-magical fixes" repair the lives of the townspeople in ways they never could have imagined. Only, Eva's bit of magic may not be enough when the biggest magical storm in history threatens the town she's grown to love. Eva must conjure up all of the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can muster or Auteri and her dreams of becoming a witch will wash away with the storm. 

About the Author

Julie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea. Keep up with Julie’s latest books and adventures at instagram.com/julieabebooks or sign up for her newsletter at julieabebooks.com/newsletter.

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