Tag Archives: fantasy fiction

Happy Spark Day!

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by Shane Richardson & Sarah Marino

It’s a special day in Ember City! Young dragons will learn what their “Spark” (special power) is at the Spark Day Ceremony. Among them are Li, Runa and Drake, who are three best friends. At the Ceremony, they see the beautiful disco ball that was created by dragons on the very first Spark Day. During the party after receiving their Sparks, Drake and another dragon, Fizz, get into a bit of tussle and break the special disco ball, ending the Spark Day festivities. Each of the young dragons tries to fix the broken disco ball with disastrous results. Suddenly, Drake remembers something that the mayor said, “Our Sparks shine their brightest when we use them to help one another”. They follow this advice and not only fix the broken disco ball but make it more special, alight with rainbow colors. They had learned a valuable lesson and saved Spark Day!

Brightly colored cartoon-like illustrations in a graphic novel/early chapter book style make this a nice introduction to the genre for young readers. It is not text-heavy and there is a lot of white space on the pages, which makes it even more accessible. The story moves along and the dragons are fun and a little silly. Kids will love it!

The Revenge of Magic

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by James Riley

Monsters! Magic! Mystery!

While on a trip to the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., Forsythe Fitzgerald, known to his family and friends as Fort, watches as his father is snatched and pulled underground by a long clawed monster hand. Desperate to rescue his father, he is stopped by a voice in his head telling him to run. Six months later, a depressed Fort is invited to attend a special school to help him overcome the mysterious loss of his father. The school is out in the middle of no where, looks like an army camp and is heavily guarded by armed soldiers. Fort meets other students and instructors and learns that the school is not an ordinary one but one in which to learn magic to defend against the beings that control the monster hands that took his father. He also learns that several different types of magic books have been unearthed and only people no older than Fort can learn and work magic. Fort wants to learn “destructive” magic to get revenge for the taking of his father. Instead he is assigned to learn “healing” magic and has only three days to learn three spells to catch up with the other students or be sent home!  The other students took months to learn just one spell and adults can’t learn any, so how can he possibly learn three in three days? He gets help from an unexpected source…the voice he heard in his head so many months before. This mysterious voice enables Fort not only to learn his three spells but also to master several advanced ones as well. His sudden possession of arcane spells earns him the begrudging respect and the animosity of some of  the more accomplished students as somehow their skills are transferred into Fort. With the help of his new allies, he begins to search for the source of this strange voice despite foot dragging by some of them. Eventually his friends and he uncover the source not only of his mysterious voice but also to whom the books of magic originally belonged and why they want them back. Without revealing any spoilers, Fort discovers the true magic power of healing and that cooperation with others is the real strength of leadership. Does he rescue his father and thwart the aliens controlling the monster hands? Well, those answers and other adventures are in the sequels to The Revenge Of Magic. You’ll just have to read those to find out.

-guest reviewer, Bill Pfender

Lia Park and the Missing Jewel

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by Jenna Yoon

All Lia wants is make it into the International Magic School with her friend, Joon. Her overprotective parents, who work mundane desk jobs for the magical organization, won’t let her do anything and she can’t figure out why. In an act of rebellion, Lia attends the party of the popular girl from school and ends up revealing her family’s location (by breaking an ancient protection spell) to the evil diviner spirit, Gaya, who kidnaps her parents and demands a ransom. Lia’s parents manage to get a message to her during the kidnapping and she and Joon are magically transported to Korea. There, they discover Lia’s true lineage as they and Lia’s grandmother desperately fight to save her parents and destroy Gaya before she returns Korea to a vastly different time hundreds of years before.

This book brings together Korean mythology, magic, modern day technology and typical tween feelings in a wonderfully rich, exciting story. Lia is a twelve year old that is feeling a little (ok, a lot) hemmed in by her parents and sets off a chain of events that will change her life (and possibly the world) when she sneaks out to a swim party at the popular girl’s house. This act of rebellion leads to a fast-paced fantasy adventure that will cause you some sleepless nights, because you just can’t put it down. Hand this book to those students that love Rick Riordan’s books. They will thank you!

Felice and the Wailing Woman

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by Diana Lopez

Felice, a twelve year old Mexican American girl, is being raised by her Uncle Clem since her mother and younger brothers drowned so many years earlier. As a result of her traumatic experience, she is extremely afraid of water and this fear holds her back in so many ways. One day, she discovers that her mother is the infamous La Llorona, a mythical creature that lives in the river and drowns anyone she can lure there. Believing that she can meet her mother, bring her some peace and overcome her own fears, Felice travels to Tres Leches, the border town where the tragedy occurred. Along with the mayor and two new friends, who also happen to be the offspring of monsters, Felice overcomes her fears and helps her mother accept her loss thus freeing the town from its curse.

This story weaves Mexican folktales and culture into a modern day fantasy piece that moves along quickly. The characters are well-written and quirky and the end is touching and magical. Recommended for those collections where a fantasy is appreciated.

Guardians of Horse: Legend of the Yearling

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by Roan Black

Four young horses from a divided kingdom come together to fulfill the prophesy of Horsa. Their quest is to locate the magical yearling that will bring peace to their warring realms once again. They are chosen by a magical pink sun and their hooves are marked by that magic. This story, the first in a series, shares their selection to the group and their first attempt at locating the magical yearling with all its dangers along the way. Guided by a special map, they begin this quest underground, fighting off rock monsters and coming to a rather uneasy alliance.

Vivid illustrations and manageable text will gain young fans of graphic novels, fantasy and horses. Each horse’s personality comes through clearly and their interactions are, at times, humorous. The story is nicely paced and young readers will certainly look forward to the next installment in the series. Highly recommended.

The Forest Fairy Pony by Sarah Kilbride

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Princess Evie is worried. She starts a new school soon and wonders if she’ll make friends. Luckily, she has a stable full of magic ponies to take her mind off that worry. She saddles up Willow and heads down the magical tunnel of trees to an enchanted forest, where she meets her friend, Holly, the fairy. Holly is preparing for a new group of fairies, who will be taking her class. As Evie helps Holly prepare for the student fairies and takes part in the magical class with her fairy partner, she realizes that her new school will be a source of new friendships and adventures. She returns home in a better frame of mind for her first day at her new school.

Short chapters and numerous illustrations make this short book a nice transition book for young readers. The elements of magic, ponies and princesses will entice readers and they will learn something at the end with pony and phoenix facts as well as a short discussion piece to share thoughts and knowledge. Part of the Princess Evie series – recommended.

Guest : a changeling tale by Mary Downing Hahn

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Thomas is a beautiful baby and his sister, Mollie, makes a mistake one day and tells him that. People are never supposed to tell the children how wonderful they are, because the Kinde Folk (a group of evil fairies) will carry off the child and replace it with a horribly ugly and ill-behaved one of their offspring.

This is exactly what happens to baby Thomas and the family is left with a biting, screaming changeling that Mollie calls “Guest”. This being throws the family into an upheaval as it wears Mollie’s mother down and drives her father away. Granny Hedgepath advises to keep the child safe and happy, so that the Kinde Folke will possibly (although highly unlikely) return Thomas. Mollie and her mother are near the breaking point, when Mollie decides to travel with Guest to the Darklands and hopes for a trade to bring her brother home.

Her journey is dangerous and may end in death. But, Mollie is determined to reclaim her brother, return Guest and make things right again for her family. Along the way, she meets some that may help and others that will try to kill her and keep her brother. The ending is a twisting and turning series of events that will surprise the reader almost as much as Mollie herself.

This is not a typical ghost story by Mary Downing Hahn. It is based on Irish myths and appears to be set in a village in the middle ages. Therefore, there is magic, both evil and good. An afterward explains the background of the story and might lead to further exploration. The fantasy elements work well and the story moves along. The scary parts are just scary enough and the reader’s imagination will paint some wonderfully dark pictures as the story progresses.

Recommended for libraries looking for more scary stories that have a bit of fairy dust (not the good kind!). Students will become invested in the journey and eventual, somewhat surprising, ending.

Our Principal Breaks a Spell

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Mr. Bundy , principal of P.S. 88, receives an interesting letter and magic powder sample from a mysterious person named Olivia Martin. He is contemplating inviting her to put on an assembly when Roger, a student, comes in to assist Mr. Bundy. Students rotate through daily through Mr. Bundy’s office as helpers and Roger is a great kid. Mr. Bundy gets called out of his office and leaves responsible Roger alone to fold newsletters.

Well, even great kids can get into some mischief and Roger does just that when he sees the magic powder and has the idea to use it to turn the broom into a self-powered sweeper. The broom goes wild and ends up splitting into several brooms along the way as Roger and a few classmates try vainly to stop the craziness. Mr. Bundy steps out to the hall and sees the mayhem, which is now entering the classrooms, runs to his office and calls Olivia Martin for help. She gives him the spell to make everything right and he does so. But, he has a surprise for the students of P.S. 88. Assembly day comes and so does Olivia Martin, swooping in on a glowing broom and sprinkling magic powder around the room. Flying brooms appear and the teachers and students hop aboard for one of the best assemblies ever!

This short chapter book is a nice beginning book for those students that want to try something different than a picture book. Pages explaining the cast of characters and a word list are helpful for young readers. Black and white illustrations are simple and help move the story along. It’s a fun romp of a read for kids and refreshing to see that even the good kids can get into a little mischief sometimes!

Width of the World

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Vega and her friends find themselves in True being chased by two maladons to get to safety but the adventure isn’t over. They find secrets and worse enemies than they could ever imagine. They make new friends and find old friends once lost. The Width of the World is an overall good book. I recommend it for anyone who wants a fiction book about adventures.

-Z.C.

The Skeleth

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An epic tie into the Nethergrim, bringing Matthew Jobin into an even brighter light than before. As Edmund, Katherine, and Tom very narrowly escape the clasping jaws of the Nethergrim, a new danger emerges from the shadows; The Skeleth. Taking over any and all control of their victim, the Skeleth turns the man inside into a ruthless killer. Bus as Edmund searches for an answer, the Skeleth draw newer , supposedly led by a new king. The action and adventure is the perfect amount, making the reader sit on the edge of their seat, wanting so much more. Those who seek for adventure and mystery will thoroughly enjoy The Skeleth.

M.C.

Fish Girl

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The story takes place on the oceanfront, in a tourist attraction called Ocean Wonders. Visitors pay to see wonders from the ocean including a possible glimpse of “Fish Girl”. Neptune, God of the seas, manages the boardwalk aquarium. Fish Girl does not know that Neptune is a businessman nor that Ocean Wonders is a business. To her, it is her home. Fish Girl starts to question many things about her existence, life in the aquarium, and Neptune’s rules. She wants to be free – free to come and go, free to experience life beyond the glass walls of the aquarium, and free to be seen. She learns the truth about the man who calls himself Neptune and how all of the sea creatures came to be in their glass prison. She wants something different for herself and her underwater family. To get what she wants, she must defy Neptune. In her journey, Fish Girl learns to question. Answers to her questions lead to change – she will no longer be a prisoner in Neptune’s glass kingdom and nor will her underwater friends and family.  

Team Awkward

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Anna Huntley, Britain’s newest IT Girl, continues her zany adventure in this second installment of The IT Girl series. Anna continues to amuse and delight with her dog, DOG, her soon to be blended family, and her BFFs, Jess and Danny. The story picks up after spring break with Anna trying to prove that she is a girl of substance to her love interest, her classmates, and the world. Anna has an unexpected and unfortunate experience that lands her in a plant pot which happens to go viral on social media. Jess and Danny convince Anna that leading the school Puffin team to victory in track and field is just what she needs to restore her reputation and win Connor’s affection. Readers will laugh with Anna as she attempts to become a “sporty” person and sympathize with her when Connor starts spending time with the new girl, Stephanie.

Deadly Flowers

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Deadly Flowers is a historical fiction adventure. Sako has trained since she was three years old to be a ninja.  She receives her first mission and she will no longer be in training when finished. If successful, she will be a useful tool for hire.  If she fails, she will be nothing, have no home, and have no one to rely on for help. Her first mission is to make a kill in the sleeping hour. For this first mission, Sako is assigned a compatriot, a mysterious puzzle of a girl who recently arrived at the ninja school and clearly has never trained in her life. The mission goes sideways, and Sako must devise a plan to save her life and is fruitful for Madame else suffer the consequences of a failed mission. Sako takes the only course open to her, she kidnaps the intended young victim and compatriot. Together, this trio embark on an adventure that requires intellect and skill to outwit a warlord’s samurai as well as unexpected bakemono.

Thomson’s skill with descriptive language propels the plot and paints a vivid picture that changes with characters, events and mystical beings.  

This story that is part action, part adventure, part fantasy, and all intrigue will satisfy readers and leave them wanting more.  A must purchase to round a library collection and bring a female protagonist to ninja readers.

End Times: The Prophet Emerges

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This Apocalyptic fantasy places the teenaged protagonist, Daphne, in a down and out small Wyoming town. Upon her arrival from Detroit, from where she flees to escape abusive and horrific experiences, mysterious trumpets that only she can hear welcome her.  In the months that she lives with her aunt, uncle and pregnant cousin, a variety of strange occurrences all point to an epic change: either of a brave new world in the making or the end of the one as it exists there in Carbon County.  Of special significance is Daphne discovering oil on her uncle’s land.

Signs of the impending rapture include strange nightmares that haunt Owen, Daphne’s love interest, the mysterious trumpets that only Daphne can hear, and carved tablets that tell the prophecy: tablets that reveal their meaning to Daphne over the course of the book.

Biblical references abound in this story with the Children of God (the devote citizens of the town) setting themselves against the Children of the Earth (the hippy “evil cult”) who are committed to protecting the earth from the ravages of oil drilling.

The strength of this novel lies in the author’s drawing of her characters. The reader is introduced to a varied cast of believable secondary characters, several of whom are teenagers.  The story is told in a rotating third person point of view.

Mature themes include attempted incest, murder in self-defense, teen pregnancy, a verbally and emotionally abusive boyfriend, sexual references, teen drinking. premature childbirth and a stillborn baby, and verbal abuse and shaming by a minister. None of these sex / attempted incest / murder scenes are very graphic, but the the childbirth / stillborn baby scene is realistic. The verbal abuse scenes are also realistic and harsh.

While stereotypes abound, and although parts of the plot are fairly predictable, End Times: The Prophet Emerges makes for a good first book in this End Times series. It ends with a cliffhanger, ensuring that readers will be waiting for the sequel.  

 

The Space Between

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This dark fantasy is about Daphne, the child of Lucifer and the demon Lilith, and her half-brother Obie. Obie is in love and is going to abandon his family, his job and his home in Hell for the girl he loves. When Lilith tells Daphne that Obie is in danger, Daphne sets off to rescue him. But she has little of the knowledge or skill necessary to navigate Earth and help her brother. She has nothing but her connection to a boy who might be the last one who saw Obie.

Daphne has always been sheltered. On this quest, she must learn self-reliance, perseverance, and most of all trust – who she can and can’t trust. She must navigate the politics of both Hell and the angels on Earth who are determine to destroy all demons. The reader can see the growing changes in Daphne through her first person chapters; the boy who is helping her appears more distant in his third person narrative. The motivation of characters is complex, as is the setting. This detailed story is intriguing and hard to put down.

My Unfair Godmother

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After being forced to move in with her father and new step-family because her mother must travel with her actress little sister, Tansy thinks life is horribly unfair. Her father has never had enough time for her, and now she goes to great (and destructive) lengths to get his attention. When her new bad boy boyfriend abandons her after spray painting city hall, Tansy is picked up by police, meets a cute guy at the police station and is grounded to her room for life. Enter Chrissy – Chrysanthemum Everstart, Fairy Godmother in training. Unfortunately Chrissy hasn’t quite gotten the wish thing down, so all kinds of havoc ensues. While the plot (the retelling of Rumplestiltskin) strains the reader’s credulity, the characters are likable and the book is fun. Where other modern retellings of fairy tales circ well, this one should, too. Sequel to My Fair Godmother.

The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim

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Siobhan lives in Canada, a Canada in an alternate world where dragons and people compete for living space, food and fuel. The fossil fuels people depend on are the food that sustains the dragons. Owen, a dragon-slayer-in-training, and his family of dragon slayers move to Siobhan’s small town and life changes for everyone. Siobhan is musically talented but not very outgoing. When Owen’s family asks her to become his bard, she is thrown into a world about which she knows much less than she thought.

The world building in this debut novel was detailed but not intrusive; you don’t have to keep track of intricate worlds and maps and politics to follow the story. But it is the relationships that make this story. Siobhan and Owen become friends; there is no deep romance here. Family relationships are strong realistic. Even the secondary characters are well-drawn. Owen, Siobhan, their parents and friends all have to decide what they are willing to sacrifice to keep their land free and safe; their actions and decisions make for powerful reading. Readers who love the Brotherband Chronicles and the newer United States of Asgard series will enjoy this book.

Drops of Life

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The first thing I noticed were the beautiful illustrations in this book. It is was initially drew my attention.

Secondly, I was drawn in by the message described on the back pages.  Here I learned about an organization called ENO (Environment Online) that helps spread awareness and knowledge about sustainable development.  This online environment allows students around the world to share their learning with our global community.  This piqued my curiosity and thought this would be a wonderful resource for teachers and students.

And lastly, once again from the back page, I learned that this story is a well-known children’s play that has been performed in over eighty countries.

With all these positive attributes, I felt I really should have liked this book more; however, I found it to be choppy and unremarkable.  It is easy to envision this as a play by the way it is written, but it makes for stilted reading.  Perhaps something was lost in the translation, but as I was reading through this I couldn’t help but feel as if the dialogue is something that the students themselves would have created.  For this reason, I think students may like it as a play, but will have a difficult time being engaged for reading pleasure.

Some Magic Cuts Deep…Claws

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This chapter books is steeped in fantasy and magic.  Our herione, Emma, is on a journey to find her abducted sister.  The family is worn from doing everything they possibly can to locate the sister that they are desperate to find. Emma finds herself in a fantastical world of cats, being the chose leader of the pride of cats.  As she can’t control her cat-like impulses, she gets expelled from her school and is forced to attend one that has dangerous creatures.  Magic, suspense, betrayal await her as she works to locate and rescue her older sister, who under a faeries spell, doesn’t wish to be found and returned to her home.  Every chaper has a CragWiki.org fact of the day.  This is areal and functioning website, which coordinates with the story.

Write Fantasy Fiction in 5 Simple Steps

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     The “five simple steps” are broken down into five short but insightful chapters. Beginning with “Start With an Idea”
and wrapping up with “What to Do With Your Finished Story”, each step is one chapter unto itself. Each chapter’s
beginning page is a step to be taken when writing fantasy fiction. The step is isolated and the reader’s attention is
drawn to the page by the use of a deep pink, one inch, page border. This visual sign post commands the reader to
pay attention and take note. Within each chapter, assignments are suggested as a way to get the reader to practice
the craft of writing. Each chapter also includes resources to further help learn the craft, such as: a Famous
Fantasies book list, tips (start a daily journal, create maps and word lists for your story), ideas (have different
people critique your work, do your research) and web links (to authors’ and organizations’ websites).
McKay breaks down the writing process into bite sized chunks which allows the reader to work at a slow and methodical pace, or to read in small increments when help is needed. The text heavy book may not initially appeal to younger readers; however, those who do pick up this book may find exactly what they are looking for and find it easy to understand. Teachers and librarians may also find this book useful as a teaching tool because most subsections within the chapters are mini-lessons. These could easily be plugged into a lesson plan and the book as a whole could be used for a unit plan.
Table of Contents, Book Key (for icons that are interspersed throughout the text), Chapter Notes, Glossary, Further Reading suggestions, Internet Addresses and an Index are all included.