REVIEW City Spies: Europa (City Spies #7) by James Ponti

City Spies: Europa by James Ponti
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: February 10, 2026
Format: Audiobook (Personal Libary, Libro.fm)
Publisher:  Aladdin

There's no rest for teenage spies in the latest installment of James Ponti's City Spies series, Europa. I love Lisa Flanagan's performance in the audiobook narration, and I highly recommend this series to middle grade fans of mystery and spycraft.

Coming off the heels of the events of the last book, London Calling, the members of Project Neverland have moved into their new abode in London. Their hope is that the world saving missions will slow down now that the leader of Umbra is behind bars, but it's not meant to be. The leader of Umbra, Lucien Allard, seems to be sending and receiving messages from behind bars and it's up to the City Spies to investigate as they are sent out to different locations across Europe.

I love how fast paced this series is, as well as how researched all of the little details are. I laughed out loud when Mother and Rio were provided bikes by MI6 in Amsterdam, as that is very on brand for the transportation of choice in that city. I also really appreciated how the city spies team members were given some opportunities to just be kids their age in this book, instead of every moment having to be doing something for MI6.

There are also some real world consequences present in the book. Sydney and Paris, being the oldest, are given some leeway at times but Sydney makes a choice to disobey orders from Mother and Monty during a key scene in this book. The effect of that choice was quite painful, especially for Paris, so I'm curious to see how that will (hopefully) be resolved in future books.

Overall, a great read. I'm so happy to hear that the author is planning to do at least 10 books in the series. I'm curious to see where the City Spies will end up next. With Tru's dossiers at the end of the book, I'm also very curious to see where each of the children end up in the future (i.e. are they still going to be spies or not as adults).

REVIEW The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro

The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Library)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers

The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro was an excellent middle grade and a very fun introduction to the culture and legends of Puerto Rico. Timothy Andres Pabon did a great job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. I highly recommend this book for fans of Percy Jackson, any Rick Riordan Presents Book (i.e. Tristan Strong by Kwame Mbalia), or B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers series. It's very family centric and very educational (without making it feel like you're getting an education).

Nico (the main character) is spending the summer with his cousins and his abuela in Puerto Rico, hoping to get through the pain of not making it into his planned visual arts school or thinking too much about his parent's failing marriage. The first mythical creature Nico encounters is on the plane to Puerto Rico, so the author really hits the ground running with getting readers involved. The story is a love letter to the island, along with highlighting all the troubles the island has gone through for those who may not have been aware. As someone who was born on the continental US, I never considered the fact that Puerto Rico has always been under someone else's rule for centuries (and it affected their ability to improve their situation, i.e. electric).

While this is primarily a fantasy, the book has a taste of so many other genres. Humor, adventure, mystery and horror were all wrapped up in one nice little bow for the readers. While Puerto Rico might not be thought of in the same breath as Ancient Greece or Rome (the more famous mythologies), it has the same level of rich creation myths and lore surrounding the island (which I still can't believe I've never heard of).  The lore surrounding these figures was epic. I especially enjoyed the dynamic of how Márohu and Boínayel's powers worked. 

Overall, a great read and I'm so glad I listened to it in audiobook form (otherwise I would have been very lost on pronunciation). I believe it's a standalone novel, but can't wait to check out other books produced by the author in the future.

REVIEW Hurricane Heist (The Sherlock Society #2) by James Ponti

Hurricane Heist (The Sherlock Society #2) by James Ponti
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Format: Audiobook
Publisher: Aladdin 

Hurricane Heist by James Ponti, the second book in The Sherlock Society series, was another engaging caper for the group to solve. It was fun how the author featured not one but two hurricanes in this book, with flashbacks to the original one that Grandpa witnessed when he was 12 and then the one in present day.

When the present day hurricane unearths the body of someone thought to have committed a crime during the original hurricane so many years ago, the Sherlock society is originally the only ones interested in taking up the case (especially since the statue of limitations has expired). However, as more information is revealed more people join in on the investigation and it was fun to try and solve the mystery right along side them. I really appreciated how relatable the characters are. Alex and Zoe had multiple stereotypical sibling disputes. Grandpa's investigative journalist background really came into play with this one. And it was funny to see all of the retirees get so into the case, partially out of sheer boredom in their retirement.

Overall, this was a great read and perfect for younger mystery fans. I highly recommend it to those who are already fans of one of the authors other series, City Spies. Audiobook narrator Mark Sanderlin did an excellent job bringing the story to lfie with his performance. As the statue of limitations did run out, the ending isn't quite as satisfying as the first book but I still enjoyed the ride.

REVIEW Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and the Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: September 24, 2024

Format: Audiobook (Personal Library) + Hardcover (Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition, Personal Library)

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

I never thought we would get a Halloween novel for the Percy Jackson series, but it’s here and it's a bunch of zany fun. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Wrath of the Triple Goddess, the second book in Percy’s quest to get three recommendation letters for college, was a blast to the past as the original trio worked to earn Hecate’s favor. Jesse Bernstein once again did an excellent job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. 

Housesitting a goddesses’ pets sounds simple on paper, but of course with the triple goddess herself things get very complicated very quickly. It was a spooky, nostalgic ride, with many cameos from various characters from the series as well as other figures from mythology. While this series already has my heart, my favorite moment in the book was a heartfelt exchange between Percy and his mom Sally. Overall, it was a great read (though that’s no surprise) and I’m really excited to see who the third god providing Percy a recommendation letter will be. 

I recommend the series to those who enjoy adventure, humor, and Greek mythology. Readers should absolutely read the original books (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and The Trials of Apollo) before reading this book and The Chalice of the Gods for the best experience. 

REVIEW The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley

The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) + eBook (Personal Library, Bookshop.org)
Publisher: Labyrinth Road 

The Dragon's Apprentice by James Riley was a really fun new middle grade fantasy read. Audiobook narrator Alana Kerr Collins did an excellent job with her performance bringing both Scorch and Ciara's perspectives to life. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy humorous reads filled with magic, dragons, and slightly cliche but equally despicable villains.

Ciara is a very relatable protagonist who is willing to do anything to save her mother. When she stumbles upon the journal of the 'lost apprentice' (which also happens to be somewhat sentient), it changes her life and that of her village forever. Enter Scorch, the grumpy and stern Great Dragon. He agrees to help Ciara save her mother as long as she helps him find his lost siblings and determine what happened to his last apprentice. Shenanigans ensue, as they work towards both of their goals. I loved the heart of the book as well as the worldbuilding (one specific power of the dragons was quite cool). There is a major cliffhanger, where the author sets up the events of the next book but it left me excited. If you like dragons, magical mentor-mentee relationships, and/or magic in general, this book is for you.

SPOTLIGHT Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond by Adrian Lynch

Hi friends! Welcome to my spotlight on the tour organized by TheWriteReads for Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond by Adrian Lynch. Check out my post to learn more about the book and the author. 

About the Book

Title: Star Quest Academy: Above and Beyond
Author: Adrian Lynch
Age Category: Middle Grade
Genre: Science Fiction
Length: 280 Pages
Published: February 13, 2025
Buy the Book: Amazon
Add on Goodreads and TheStoryGraph

For centuries, trillions of life forms throughout space have allowed humanity to believe we’re alone in the Universe. Any alien who dared to befriend us has met an unfortunate end: eaten, squashed, sent to a zoo, or even planted in a garden pot. But our advances in space exploration now threaten every civilisation across the Cosmos.

Amelia, a savvy, street-smart orphan, is one of four exceptional children selected from around the globe to represent humanity in the Human Inclusion Programme at the intergalactic Star Quest Academy. Here, they’ll unravel the Universe’s wonders, explore strange new worlds, and encounter magical creatures. Earth’s safety from invasion hinges on their success as cadets, but if any of them fail, Earth will be invaded by ruthless warlords.

When a series of sinister incidents jeopardise their mission, it becomes clear that someone – or something – wants them to fail. To save their world, the cadets must overcome their differences and combine their unique skills.

About the Author

Adrian was born a long time ago in Harrow Weald, North London. He is dyslexic, which wasn’t allowed in those unenlightened times. As a kid, when he wasn’t learning to be ‘normal’, (he failed), he would hang out in the nearby bluebell-carpeted woods. To him, they harboured space aliens, mysterious creatures and the ghosts of Grims Dyke whose mournful songs rustled autumnal leaves. This inspired stories that Adrian would tell eager audiences for pocket money.

Following successful careers within the NHS and as a Company Director, Adrian obtained a BA degree in Creative Writing from the Open University and is now bringing those fantastical stories to life in his novels. The Star Quest Academy – Above and Beyond is the first to be published. Adrian hopes that it will be as exciting and fun to read as it was to write.

Adrian now lives in North Bedfordshire.

REVIEW London Calling (City Spies #6) by James Ponti

London Calling (City Spies #6) by James Ponti
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Format: ARC (Courtesy of Publisher) + Audiobook (Personal Library, Libro.fm)
Publisher: Aladdin

Buy the book on Bookshop.org

Buy the audiobook on Libro.fm

London Calling by James Ponti is the sixth book in the City Spies series, and it is the most action-packed yet. There’s so much that’s happening in this book, and one of the biggest highlights was the parts where the team interacts with Clementine (who has made minimal on page appearances over the course of the series until this point). 

Each book has sort of focused on one of the children, and this was undoubtedly Cairo’s chance to shine. While Cairo is adapting well to the team, we also got to meet Annie for the first time and get glimpses into both of their pasts. It was really cool to see how she and Robert adopted Clementine’s training (as opposed to the others getting training from Mother and Monty). Without spoiling it, I do want to note that the author took the time to wrap up a lot of storylines (some even going back to the first book), so that was equally exciting and intriguing as a reader to unravel.  

While in some ways it seems like this could have been the end of the series, I’m very excited that it seems like the author is planning (I hope) at least two more City Spies books. I can’t wait to see what the kids get up to next. The end of the book ‘brief’ does give some plausible options on what each city spy might do in the future, so at least there’s that glimpse into more of their story. Once again, I think this is a great series for young readers who enjoy spy novels or tales of adventure. 

Thank you to the author and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review London Calling 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. 

REVIEW Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key (The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Book 3) by Erika Lewis

Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key (The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Book 3) by Erika Lewis
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library, Libro.fm)
Publisher: Starscape

Check out my review of the first book in the series, Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts

Check out my review of the second book in the series, Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu

Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key, the final book in the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts series by Erika Lewis, was an amazing close to the series. Building on the events of the previous books, Kelcie, Lexis, and their fiannas are forced into a final confrontation against King Baelor and to stop the Never Ending War once and for all.

The worldbuilding has always been a favorite part of this series. While Winter and Summer are very different on paper, they have lots of similarities (that they would probably not acknowledge). I enjoyed how the author structured the book, with multiple points of view showing the fiannas coming at the problem from different directions and finally meeting up. The dual history was exciting, and all the threads the author has been weaving came together in a really nice bow. The powers each character demonstrates have evolved, and the mythology references have increased (love when I recognize various characters and creatures out of folktales). 

The characters are another highlight. While Lexis and Kelcie have grown up on entirely different paths, they're so similar. Each member of both fiannas has also grown up a lot since the first time we meet them in the books. Swappy's my favorite character on the winter fianna,. and his idea for where they hid was hilarious. Without spoilers, Niall's story arc in this book was the most poignant, and I hope the author writes some sort of accompanying story (i.e. novella, short story, etc.) to let us know how things end up with his future plans.

Overall, an excellent book and an excellent close to the series. Justis Golding did an excellent job bringing all the characters to life with their performance in the audiobook. I highly recommend this series to those enjoy middle grade fantasy inspired by mythology, full of adventure, and very focused on found family.

BLOG TOUR Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs by Victoria Williamson

 

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TheWriteReads for Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs by Victoria Williamson. Check out my post to learn more about the book and the author. Happy reading everyone!

About the Book

When the skies turn deadly, a young heroine must rise from the ashes...

Twelve-year-old Amberley Jain has faced incredible challenges since the crash that took her parents and paralysed her legs. Now, with her best friend Ricardo Lopez about to be sent away and a swarm of mutated insects closing in on the Skyfleet base, the stakes have never been higher. Something monstrous is driving the mutabugs north from the contaminated meteor site known as the Cauldron, and the only plane capable of stopping it - the Firehawk - lies in pieces in the hangar.

Determined to honour her parents' legacy, Amberley hatches a daring plan. With Ricardo's help, they stow away on a supply train, trading his most treasured possession for the parts needed to repair the Firehawk. After secret test flights, the legendary jet is ready for action. Now, Amberley and Ricardo must confront the deadly swarm and save their home, discovering their inner strength and the true meaning of friendship along the way.

Skyfleet: March of the Mutabugs is a thrilling tale of adventure and resilience, perfect for middle-grade readers.

Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure

Age Category: Middle-Grade

Number of Pages: 198 Pages

Publication Date: October 24, 2024

Publisher: Tiny Tree Books

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217402251-skyfleet 

Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/b4187899-258e-4ea2-8e83-9cad557dd26a 

Amazon: https://a.co/d/7OiVBIY (Canada) https://a.co/d/abVrfJ6 (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/2BKDkj5 (UK)

About the Author

Victoria Williamson grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and has worked as an educator in a number of different countries, including as an English teacher in China, a secondary science teacher in Cameroon, and a teacher trainer in Malawi.

As well as degrees in Physics and Mandarin Chinese, she has completed a Masters degree in Special Needs in Education. In the UK she works as a primary school special needs teacher, working with children with a range of additional support needs including Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, physical disabilities and behavioural problems.

She is currently working as a full time writer of Middle Grade and YA contemporary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, with a focus on creating diverse characters reflecting the many cultural backgrounds and special needs of the children she has worked with, and building inclusive worlds where all children can see a reflection of themselves in heroic roles.

Victoria’s experiences teaching young children in a school with many families seeking asylum inspired her debut novel, The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, an uplifting tale of redemption and unlikely friendship between Glaswegian bully Caylin and Syrian refugee Reema.

You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com

REVIEW The Sherlock Society (The Sherlock Society #1) by James Ponti

The Sherlock Society (The Sherlock Society #1) by James Ponti

Rating: 5 Stars

Release Date: September 3, 2024

Format: Hardcover (Review Copy from Publisher) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)

Publisher: Aladdin

Being a huge fan of James Ponti’s City Spies books, it was very exciting for me when I received a copy of his newest release, The Sherlock Society. A mix of mystery, history, journalism, and bits of science, it was a fun read I would highly recommend to kids of all ages. 

Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock are looking for a way to learn a little spending cash and occupy their summer. Taking homage from their last name (and their grandfather’s journalism background), they decide to start their own kid detective agency The Sherlock Society with friends Lina and Yadi. Working on the cold cases their grandpa could never solve, it leads them straight into the heart of the Everglades and a very active mystery. 

I loved the storyline. The initial mystery the kids choose to tackle (the lost treasure/money stash of Al Capone) was super interesting. It was fun to see how the author blended solving the mystery with the journalism ‘bootcamp’ that the kids have to go through. I also really appreciated how the author used the story to educate people about the Everglades and the history surrounding the area. I don’t want to spoil the true mystery of the book, but it was extremely well written with how it unfolded (starting with a major climax, then going back in time to show how the characters got there). 

The characters were another definite highlight of the book for me. Zoe and Alex’s grandpa, Mr. Pete Lassiter, has to be one of the coolest adults I’ve ever seen in a middle-grade book. All of the kids in the Sherlock Society have their own talents and perspectives, and brought something unique to the team. Zoe and Alex’s parents were super cool too, and I thought they (along with the other side characters) rounded out the story well. 

Overall, another great read and release from the author. Mark Sanderlin did an excellent job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. I’m excited to read future installments in the series, and see what The Sherlock Society gets up to on their next adventure. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review The Sherlock Society 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.  

REVIEW Kwame Crashes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer

 

Kwame Crashes the Underworld (Kwame Powell #1) by Craig Kofi Farmer
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Format: eBook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Craig Kofi Farmer’s Kwame Crashes the Underworld was an emotional and entertaining fantasy read. A middle grade novel based on Ghanaian mythology, it explores themes of culture, family and identity. Readers who enjoyed books like Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strange Punches a Hole in the Sky will definitely enjoy this read. 

Kwame Powell is a twelve year old kid out of North Carolina who is grieving the loss of his beloved Grandmother. Unwilling to accept the fact that she’s gone (and uncomfortable with the Ghanaian part of his heritage that she represented), Kwame’s loath to travel with his parents to her celebration of life. However, after a tricksy monkey steals the last gift his grandmother gave him, the chase leads him into an entirely different world and thrusts him straight into a godly conflict. 

There is so much action and adventure in this book, but it's also balanced with weighty emotion. Kwame and Autumn must escape Asamando to stay alive, but it means saying goodbye to his grandmother seemingly forever. This parallels the fact that Kwame is unwilling to make an effort to acknowledge his heritage and culture early in the book, despite his best efforts to separate himself from that identity in his day to day life. The journey that Kwame goes on to embrace that part of him was fun to watch, and I appreciated the life lessons that the author interspersed along the way (such as the fact that “Ignorance isn’t a disease that you catch. It’s a choice you make”.) 

The characters were a definite highlight of the book. Kwame is the son of immigrants, and struggles to deal with his dual heritage (which I think is such an important topic for kids to be exposed to). Autumn is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community, and I really appreciated how well the author wove sign language into the story. It was a pleasant surprise to see how the author highlighted some of the challenges a member of the deaf community might face in their day to day life. Woo the aboatia was hilarious, and he reminded me a lot of Abu from the Aladdin movies.  I loved Kwame’s grandmother as well - it was an interesting dynamic that “Asamando lets their residents take the age that they felt most alive”. The other more minor characters rounded out the story well, and I appreciated how easy the author made it to follow the various figures from mythology and where they originated. 

Overall, this was an excellent novel and I completely devoured the story while reading. Narrator Joshua Quinn did an excellent job bringing the story to life. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy kid lit fantasy complete with mythological inspiration, wacky adventures, and diverse characters. 

BLOG TOUR Terra Electrica by Antonia Maxwell

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TheWriteReads for Terra Electrica, part of The Guardians of the North series by Antonia Maxwell. Check out my post to learn more about the book, the author, and where you can get your own copy. 

Make sure you show the other tour hosts some love as well - the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone! 

Title: Terra Electrica: The Guardians of the North

Author: Antonia Maxwell

Genre: Dystopian, Science & Nature, Environment

Age Category: Middle Grade

Page Count: 272 Pages  

Publication Date: July 4, 2024 (October 22nd US)

Publisher: Neem Tree Press

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204929195-terra-electrica 

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0ekqkIpP (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/0dUDASJ3 (UK) https://a.co/d/0euPP4sr (Canada)

 

About the Book:

Book 1 in an action-packed dystopian adventure series set in the near-future post-melt Arctic.

The last ice cap has melted, and the world is on the brink of collapse. A deadly force—Terra Electrica—has been unleashed. It feeds on electricity. It is infecting civilization.

In this chaotic, rapidly changing reality, 12-year-old Mani has lost her family and community to the Terra Electrica. Armed only with some ancestral wisdom and a powerful, ancient wooden mask she was never meant to inherit so soon, she suddenly finds herself responsible for the fate of the world.

Can Mani piece everything together and harness her newfound powers in time to save humanity?

About the Author:

Antonia Maxwell is a writer and editor based in North Essex and Cambridge, UK. With a  degree in Modern Languages and a long-standing career as a book editor, she has a lifelong curiosity for language and words, and a growing fascination in the power of story – the way it shapes our lives and frames our experience.

Tour Schedule:

BLOG TOUR Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero. Check out my post to learn more about the book, see where you can pick up your own copy, and learn a bit about the author as well. Make sure you show some love to the other tour hosts as well. The link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Tale of the Flying Forest by RM Romero Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

A spellbinding and lyrical Jewish Narnia for a new age, with lavish illustrations that bring the fairy tale magic to life. After her mother passes away and her father retreats into his grief, 11-year-old Anne Applebaum is afraid the only happy endings she’ll ever have are in The World to Come, a collection of fairy tales about the flying forest of Bei Ilai. In its pages, children outsmart demons, girls train as knights, and songs come to life. But even these stories can’t stop Anne from feeling alone. So when a raven tells her that she has a long-lost twin brother named Rainer, she sets out to find him. Anne soon learns that Bei Ilai is a real place—and she must step through the door into this magical realm to seek her brother. But the dangers in the flying forest are just as real as its beauty. To overcome the challenges and monsters she faces, Anne must lean into the magic contained within her and her Jewish faith—especially when she discovers Rainer is locked away by a being more frightening than any dragon. Because the most terrifying villain of all is one who used to be a hero.

Content Warning: Child abuse, kidnapping, death of a parent, grief

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: October 15th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Jewish, Latinx

About the Author

R. M. Romero (she/they) is a Jewish Latina and international bestselling author of fairy tales for children and adults. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat, Robin Goodfellow, and spends her summers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Her work has been named an Indie Next Pick, a Jewish National Book Award Finalist, a two time Sydney Taylor Notable Book, a Carnegie Award nominee, a Best YA Book by Kirkus and SLJ, and received multiple starred reviews.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW Team Chu and the Wild Ghost Chase (Team Chu #3) by Julie C. Dao

Team Chu and the Wild Ghost Chase (Team Chu #3) by Julie C. Dao
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library, Libro.fm)
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (FSG)

Julie C. Dao has created another fun middle grade adventure book with her latest installment in the Team Chu series, Team Chu and the Wild Ghost Chase. Tuba the Cat’s influencer status (courtesy of siblings Marta and Iggy Morales) has landed him a coveted invitation to the Spooky World Pet Gala, so they invite all their friends to join them for the weekend. Once there, they get involved in another mystery and have to find out what happened to the legendary “Weeping Lady” before it’s too late. 

The author does a great job in bringing in problems the average middle schooler would face to these books. Sadie is struggling in school, but doesn’t want to tell her parents because of how proud they were that she tested into the higher classes. Her older brother Clip is desperate for recognition for his talents on the soccer field, but that causes a lot of conflict with his lifelong best friend (and fellow co-captain) Derek. Their other friends do their best to help with each situation, but can’t really get in the middle. Overall, I think the author did a great job making the problems feel authentic and relatable, especially for the intended audience of these books. 

The other highlight of this book for me was worldbuilding. Ms. Dao did such a great job creating the amusement park that is Spooky World. Even for a scaredy cat like me (who won’t go anywhere near places like Universal Halloween Horror Nights), I could definitely see myself wanting to visit Spooky World. There’s something for everyone at this place - she designed cool new rides, museums, spooky treats and even haunted houses. The way she wove in the legend of the Weeping Lady was great, and I really enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded at the end of the book. 

Narrators Angela Tran, Richard Nguyen, and Andrew Joseph Perez did an excellent job with bringing the kid’s perspectives to life. While this is the current projected end of the series, I would really love to see more books set in this world. I recommend the Team Chu series to those who would enjoy middle grade adventure books filled with friendship, mystery, and just a touch of the fantastical/supernatural. 

BLOG TOUR The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y Chan

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions for The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan.  Check out my post to learn more about the book, the author, and read an excerpt. Make sure you check out the giveaway as well. The author will be giving away a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a lucky winner at the end of the tour via Rafflecopter. If you visit the other tour hosts pages as well, you can enter there too. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win!

The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan Tour Schedule (Goddess Fish Promotions)

About the Book

Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there's a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!

Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!

Excerpt

I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over again. Fierce.

“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.

I snap my arms to my sides.

“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.

I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our heads.

I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.

It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or anything. I’m not.

“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a hailstorm.

Well, maybe I’m a little worried.

Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in the elbow.

Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking

About the Author

A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

Book Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Mo-Seto-1/dp/1665937327

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legendary-mo-seto-a-y-chan/1144226905

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-legendary-mo-seto-ay-chan/20699961

A.Y. Chan Social Links:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/AYChanWrites

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aychanwrites/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aychanwrites/

About Book Links:

Website: aychanwrites.com

Simon & Schuster Author Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/A-Y-Chan/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/9781665937320

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