The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Garcia - OPTIONAL

The Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Garcia, 352 pages. Candlewick, 2024. $13 (pb)

Language: R  (75+ swears, 67 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (mildly inappropriate interactions with coach, pot smoking, bulimia); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

Violetta lives and breathes tennis, following in the footsteps of her mother who had to leave a promising career when she had Violetta. Leylah dropped out of tennis two years ago, but now she is back and ready to prove she is still a rising star. Alice is new to this level of competitive tennis, and is still not really sure how she made it here, especially as she is still mourning her Baba (father), who was her coach. Rooming together at Bastille, the most prestigious tennis academy and site of the tournament to win in order to prove yourself to be worthy tennis elite, each girl has secrets and pains that they are trying to hide from themselves and from everyone around them. 

The three girls are all Asian, an underrepresented group in tennis. Worthwhile to have around in paperback for those few students who are interested in tennis. The girls’ struggles are heartfelt, and I enjoyed the insight behind the scenes in tennis.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

They All Had a Chance by Michele Leathers - OPTIONAL

They All Had a Chance (They All Had a Reason #4) by Michele Leathers, 272 pages. $13 (pb)

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (beer mentioned, brief kisses); Violence: PG (deaths mentioned, mild danger)

BUYING ADVISORY:  HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

18yo Jane is about to get kicked out of her aunt and uncle’s house, now that she’s an adult.  She has one last summer as a counselor on Catalina Island to earn some money.  Jane is not very bright, or skillful, or pretty, so she is surprised when her gorgeous roommate, Athena, takes her under her wing, trying to help her be more attractive, at least. What she doesn’t know is that Athena is the renamed Bellany, and her latest target is Shandy, the owner of the summer camp. Well, Shandy has some tricks.  This summer she is having a contest amongst the counselors - and whichever one wins, they also win the whole camp. Athena can work with that - and she has some great ideas for getting rid of her teammates once they help her win Shandy’s contest.

Bellany is up to her old tricks.  She seems to be a very ineffective grifter, though, even though she was willing to kill for what she wants. I don’t know how much longer this series can go on, nor am I particularly interested. Even Bellany is a pretty flat character and she's had four books in which to develop. I would interest students in books like The Inheritance Games instead.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Void Dragons by Scott Reintgen - ESSENTIAL

The Void Dragons (Dragonships #3) by Scott Reintgen, 455 pages. 

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (kiss); Violence: PG-13 (space warfare, some human deaths mentioned, minor blood)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, MS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Before he disappeared, Proteus warned of a great threat to come. Distracted by the quintacentennial meeting of the planetary dragons, 15yo Lunar Jones and the other dragonriders almost miss the beginning of the greatest threat to their universe ever. Maya has been given the task of finding and piecing together the other clues Proteus left behind, but even those hints may not be enough to save them from the most horrific enemy they have ever met.

Oh Reintgen. I am going to have to put you up there with Neal Shusterman as one of the great talents of the current times. I pity those who don’t read science fiction, as they can never understand. For me this series is a definite re-read.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter - OPTIONAL

Trust Fall by Lynn Painter, 410 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2026. $18

Language: R (300+ swears, 60 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (teens drinking and smoking cigars, passionate kissing); Violence: PG (fighting and bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Julia Lowell, high school senior and brand new resident of New York, meets lifetime resident Damion Rutledge and it’s loathe at first sight. Damion believes that the Lowell family swindled his great uncle Remington out of his home. The Lowell family can’t believe that their elderly friend Lou left them his house in his will. There’s confusion and mixed emotions all around as Julia and Damion sort out what’s happening with the house situation. On top of that, Julia is mercilessly bullied by rich teens at her school, since she’s obviously an outsider. Damion ends up tutoring Julia to get her math scores up and he uses that excuse to dig deeper into how the Lowell’s ended up with Uncle Remi’s house. Julia is unsure of Damion because sometimes he’s rude but other times, he sticks up for her when she’s being taunted and she has no idea if he can be trusted.

I love the line from page 136, talking about reading, “Because there was just something about getting lost in another experience, in forgetting all about your life while riding along on someone else’s journey, that was the sweetest escape.” Also, this statement from Damion on page 163, “When it comes to film and books and the arts in general, you’re rewarded when they make you feel…” This is such a fun book! I love the descriptions of New York and Julia’s hometown in Nebraska, as seen through the eyes of the two main characters, Damion and Julia.

The ethnicity cues white.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High Library, Delta, Utah

For No Mortal Creature by Keshe Chow - OPTIONAL

For No Mortal Creature by Keshe Chow, 464 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2025. $20

Language: R (51 swears, 23 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (minor suggestive content, no overt sexual acts, flashback with underage drinking); Violence: R (numerous and graphic scenes of sword fighting and stabbing and spilt blood on page)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Jia is seemingly powerless in a hidden village where powers are not unusual to have. She wants to save her popo (grandma) from the death realms and to do so she must retrieve a mythical sword that conquers death from the deepest levels of the death realm. However, Jia must overcome many trials, along with managing an angsty love triangle between an old friend and an enemy prince, before she can possibly reunite with her grandmother again.

I’m a dark and spooky loving kind of girl and this book checked off both of those things. It contains elements of death and resurrection as a form of power and includes subtle forms of Chinese mythology with how it describes ghosts and their punishments.

Chow never explicitly says but based off of the setting and description of the characters it makes it feel like Asian ethnicity and architecture (black hair, brown eyes, high cheekbones and pearlescent skin).

Maryn Beddes reviewer

Pushing Hope: An Illustrated Memoir of Survival by Raymond Santana and Keith Henry Brown - ADVISABLE

Pushing Hope: An Illustrated Memoir of Survival by Raymond Santana and Keith Henry Brown. 288 pages. BIOGRAPHY, GRAPHIC NOVEL. Calkins Creek, 2025. $18

Language: R (1 swear, 2 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (mention of rape and fondling breasts; brief non-sexual rear nudity); Violence: PG-13 (discussions of police violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

In 1989 14yo Raymond Santana moved to Harlem from the Bronx. Harlem's art and fashion scene is fresh and inspiring to Santana. He talks about the change in scenery and hanging out with friends. While hanging out with friends near Central Park on April 19, 1989 where Santana was arrested, underwent a violent and prolonged police interrogation, and eventually received a wrongful conviction of rape and assault. While the events of April 19, 1989 are central to the story, Santana's memoir also looks at his adjustment after being released, subsequent prison visits, the 2002 exoneration, and the launching of his own fashion brand (Park and Madison NYC) with Rasheed Young.

Santana’s memoir is moving and powerful. The book is pretty light on text, occasionally taking up a two-page spread for one sentence or a full illustration. The art style is bright, unique, and punchy - much like Santana’s own clothing line. If a student is unfamiliar with the Exonerated 5, this novel will still be interesting, but it will not provide a comprehensive overview or deep dive into the legal side of the event. The main focus is on using hope and creativity to overcome obstacles. “To never give up. To motivate. To inspire.” (pg 276). I feel it is an important and unique memoir to add to high school collections. 

Raymond Santana is Afro-Latino

E. Powell, Junior High Librarian

https://www.kingsenglish.com/item/MexlWhzwbd94iTAhIVQVQwx

The Secret to Belonging by Megan E. Freeman, - OPTIONAL

The Secret to Belonging by Megan E. Freeman, 330 pages. Simon and Schuster, 2026. $20 

Language: R (30 swears, 8 f); Mature Content: PG-13 (off page sex, drug use, drinking) Violence: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL 

Told in second person by an anonymous junior in high school who simply goes by "you." She struggles with her identity because she is overlooked by her parents as they struggle to deal with her older brother's drug addiction. When her college fund is used by her parents for her brother's rehab, her dreams seem dashed until she is offered a scholarship as an exchange student to Norway where she hopes to find a place to belong. 

Told in free verse, it reads fast. The protagonist's anonymity adds to her story, and even though you will totally dislike her family, you will fall in love with Norway in the 80's. This is a coming of age story where sometimes you have to leave your home to find it. No race is mentioned, but the protagonist is from California. 

Michelle in the Middle 

The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday by Kelsey B. Toney - OPTIONAL

The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday by Kelsey B. Toney, 304 pages. Random House Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House), 2025. $20.

Language: R (86 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (two separate doses of medical marijuana, intense periods, several references to the female reproductive system but not sexual in nature, a handful of kissing scenes); Violence: G (some bullying & insensitive comments due to a character’s chronic illness);

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: SEVERAL

17yo Delia Bridges is a senior in high school in Dallas, TX, on the fast track for a prestigious premed mentorship and early acceptance to an Ivy League college, and has debilitating period pain. She has gone to doctor after doctor and no one believes her, so she wants to become a gynecologist herself and finally get some answers. So when she wakes up on one of the significant days of her high school career in a pool of menstrual blood, she panics because she can’t miss this day of all days. In desperation, she takes some medical marijuana that her sister grew & prepared from scratch. She gets caught with it at school and it spectacularly torpedoes her future plans. Can she figure out her next steps and who she is beyond her period?

Oh, how my heart ached for Delia’s plight! The lack of care from her doctors and her schools’ administration was infuriating, but that was the point. I thought it was a compassionate perspective on chronic illnesses, with both the main character’s endometriosis and her friend’s IBS. I loved reading this book and even if you don’t have period pain as bad as Delia’s, learning how to advocate for yourself and your friends is always going to be a positive takeaway.

Kiera, ELA teacher #BookswithBeddes

I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers - ADVISABLE

I’m Gonna Get You Back by Eva Des Lauriers, 342 pages. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 25+ ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (steamy kissing, pants removed, drinking); Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

A few months ago Gwen’s life was ruined when her Legacy scholarship was yanked when someone sabotaged her documentary film showing at the final banquet. While she faced consequences for the compromising footage, the principal’s son, also a scholarship recipient, lost nothing. In the months since, Gwen has barely held it together - icing out even Reid, who might have been the love of her life. Now it’s time for Legacy weekend; Reid and the others are on their way home and everyone is keeping secrets. Gwen is determined to figure and expose whomever it was who hurt her.

Chapters alternate between Gwen and Reid, and between Then and Now. Everything is clearly labeled, so it is ebay to follow along.  The Then chapters do drag a bit, but it was refreshing to see a mystery that doesn’t involve murder. The romance is quite heartfelt and full of misunderstandings and angst. I appreciate the double entendre in the title, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Killing Rules by Bree Despain - OPTIONAL

The Killing Rules by Bree Despain, 416 pages. Entangled Teen, 2026. $13 (pb), $29 (hc)

Language: R (123 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (passionate kiss); Violence: PG-13 (bloody deaths, child abuse)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

17yo Harper enjoys most parts of her life. She’s a cheerleader and has good friends but she suffers from the Blood Bound curse which changes her, every three months, into a killing monster. Harper uses this curse to rid the world of evil, harmful people but she hates that she ends people’s lives and struggles with constant guilt. Harper really likes Grayson and the feeling is mutual but her Nana insists she stay away from him, as part of the set of rules to keep Harper safe from hunters and to keep her curse a secret. Grayson’s father was Harper’s first victim but his death is a mystery to Grayson. He’s actively investigating his father’s death and he keeps getting closer and closer to the truth.

I enjoyed the humor, mystery, and character development! Harper’s internal struggle gave her character depth and maturity. The twists were great and the story kept me hooked! Twisty! A perfect October read!

The ethnicity is mixed.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Blightfall by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson - ADVISABLE

Blightfall (Riftwake #1) by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson, 496 pages. Delacorte (Random House), 2026. $22

Language: PG (16 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG (hand holding, chaste kiss); Violence: PG (people dying, alien shot down, bloody injury)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

18yo Arturo is building a flight crew for a covert mission to Blightfall. He and his crew have been assigned to explore this planet and guard diplomats as they try to reach settlements and make contact. Before they land, the crew is attacked and some perish. Those left are terrified that they might never find cooperation or be able to return home. When they do land they discover that the planet is as inhospitable as their welcome was.

I like the wise quote on page 273, “If one is offended by questions, one might be revealing the weakness in one’s own rhetorical position.” The awkwardness between Arturo and Alanik is adorable! They like each other but are unsure if the other one likes them. Cute humor throughout the book. Fun sci-fi adventure with a bit of a mystery.

Crew members are described with a variety of skin colors, including purple.

LynnDell Watson, DHS Librarian, Delta, Utah

Rootbound by Margaret Owen - ADVISABLE

Rootbound: A Tangled Novel by Margaret Owen, 316 pages. Random House, 2026. $19

Language: G (0 swears, though a couple of slant swears are used; 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG (some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE; HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Newly found Princess Rapunzel, 18yo, is invited to a neighboring country, Astera. This country usually doesn't allow visitors past the harbor, so the move is suspicious, but Rapunzel wants to prove herself as fit to be a princess. Eugene accompanies her, but he is worried that Rapunzel's parents will tell him that he isn't good enough for a princess. They arrive in Astera and find that according to Asteran traditions Princess Verette should have been given the throne years ago, but her father refuses to abdicate for her. The two princesses form an alliance and discover that King Enver has been sapping magic from the land to maintain control for years. This has led to a famine causing King Enver to decide to invade Rapunzel's home. 

The showdown between King Enver and Rapunzel, Eugene and Princess Verette is fast paced and showcases all the good qualities in our heroines and hero. As a bonus, the book ends with a cliffhanger about Eugene's own backstory. "Rootbound" is an exciting continuation of the Rapunzel story from the Disney movie. Rapunzel and Eugene are fleshed out even more as characters with personal motivations. It is a fun adventure story, but Rapunzel and other characters are used to show the lasting affects of trauma making this a deeper story for many readers.

It is a make believe world, so there are no actual ethnicities, but some characters are described with different skin, hair, and eye colors. Some characters are LGBT.

Janae S., Reading Teacher

Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen by Megan Shepherd - ADVISABLE

Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen (The Pumpkin Queen #3) by Megan Shepherd, 409 pages. Random House, 2026. $21

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: G ; Violence: PG (Mad scientist experiments, kidnappings, Halloween characters, some danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MS - MANY, HS - SOME

Even though Sally has saved Halloween Town and discovered her own lost family, she still feels insecure and carries the trauma of having been held captive and experimented on by Dr. Finkelstein. When characters, including Jack, start disappearing during storms, Sally has to find a way to protect Halloween Town. The Shadow Prince is too powerful, and Sally must enlist the aid of all her friends and the famous Night Mare. Constantly putting herself in danger and accepting help from former enemies, Sally must overcome her fears and accomplish the impossible.

"Shadow Over the Pumpkin Queen" is the third installment in the Pumpkin Queen series focused on Sally, the rag doll who married Jack. There is enough background provided that this can be read as a stand alone novel. Fans of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" will love the continuation of the story. Sally becomes a role model for all students feeling insecure and wondering if their past will always hold them back.

Janae S., Reading Teacher

The Last Tiger by Julia and Brad Riew - OPTIONAL

The Last Tiger by Julia and Brad Riew , 416 pages. Kokila, 2025. $22

Language: PG (5 swears, 0 ‘f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (brief kissing, mention of physical abuse; a character mentions she was sent as a “comfort woman” at age 14-not graphic); Violence: PG-13 (fantasy violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

16yo Choi Eunji already struggles to be the perfect daughter her family wants, so when one of their servants - Lee Seung - spots her outside the house and without a chaperone, she forces him to make a deal. In return for helping her continue sneaking out at night without her family’s knowledge, Choi Eunji agrees to tutor Lee Seung in preparation for the Exam. Seung quickly learns the Exam is another tool used by the ruling Dragon Kingdom to rewrite history and keep powerful dragon ki from the tiger colony citizens. Just as Eunji and Seung's feelings for each other begin to grow, fate rips them apart, and they find themselves on opposite sides of a battle for the last tiger.

Siblings Julia and Brad Riew have written an action packed “romantasy” inspired by the true story of their grandparents secret courtship in Korea under Japanese rule. Each chapter switches from Choi Eunji’s and Lee Seung’s point of view. While this book has a high average rating on Goodreads, it wasn’t my favorite. I felt the pacing was slow for the first half of the book and the plot seemed a bit scattered. I think tweens/teens who love “romantasy”, enemies to lovers, and fantasy with minimal world building would enjoy it more.

Choi Eunji and Lee Seung are Tiger Colony citizens, which is meant to represent Korean ethnicity under colonial rule

E. Powell, Junior High Librarian

You’re Dead To Me, Reed Walker by Gwenyth Reitz - OPTIONAL

You’re Dead To Me, Reed Walker by Gwenyth Reitz, 352 pages. Roaring Brook (Macmillan), 2026. $21

Language: R (100+ swears, 25+ ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (drinking, off page sex); Violence: PG-13 (murders, threats, ghost attacks)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

12th grader Tessa has been battling for school supremacy with Reed Walker her entire high school career. She certainly didn’t want to end up dead with him after a high school rager she didn’t want to attend and in a musty old house. First Reed and Tessa need to get used to being dead, and then to being stuck with each other. As they learn to maneuver their new existence, they discover that not only were they murdered, but that the murderer is after Tessa’s best friend and they have a very limited time to save her before they need to depart this world or be doomed to wander it and forget who they are.

An enemies to lovers story with that fateful twist. The narrative alternates between Reed and Tessa’s points of view.  For all that the characters swear a lot, it is a sweet, and terrifying story.  I like the choices Reitz made with the countdown doors for the newly dead, too. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

How (not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe - ADVISABLE

How (not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe, 369 pages. Delacorte (Random), 2026. $13 (pb)

Language: R (70+  swears, 3 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (kissing, porn mentioned); Violence: PG (ghostly danger)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SOME

17yo Amity has great summer plans for her time before college, but everything is upended when her mother declares that she has taken a job across the country in Massachusetts.  Amity has no choice but to follow, because her mother’s job is where also gets a free ride to college. How could they move into the haunted house in little Harlow’s Rest. Even the first night Amity catches the local ghost hunter outside - even if he is handsome. But Theo, the ghost hunter, knows that Amity’s house is haunted and he will have to convince her of that before it's too late. And he thinks she’s pretty special too.

The first half is a tiny bit spooky and mostly getting to know and trust each other. This one doesn’t satisfy as much as Love at Full Tilt did. But it is light and romantic and the final scares are pretty scary.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens - OPTIONAL

The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens, 320 pages. Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster), 2026. $20.

Language: R (16 swears, 3 “f”); Mature Content: PG (some kissing, no underage drinking or drug use); Violence: PG-13 (repeated intense scenes with peril, some fantasy violence, some on-page blood but no dismemberment)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: MANY

16yo Ellinore the Brave is a fraud. She is the best quester in all the land of Avoury, however, every quest she has been on hasn’t been quite as glorious, like the bards sing about. The lies keep piling up and it’s stressing her out, so she announces her retirement. However, she is called back into service when her twin brother Zig makes an ill-informed magical wager with two shady mages, based on her inflated reputation. Now it is literally life or death with Zig’s heart on the line and it is up to Ellinore to do the impossible (for real), one last time.

I liked watching Ellinore grow into her real identity, instead of her glorified reputation. She has a merry crew that she reluctantly acquires, and the romance with Princet Aven (they/them, nonbinary) was just the icing on top of the story. Some reviews said it was a young-adult romantasy, which I think is a stretch. This is really an adventure story that has flavors of Dungeons and Dragons, but a little more silly. I couldn’t get over the fact that the dragon’s name was Dave. I mean Dave the Dragon, really? I was disappointed that there were a couple of F words, because it made the book rated R, when the mature content and violence weren’t as graphic.

Reviewer: K. Beddes, ELA teacher 

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - ADVISABLE

The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst, 384 pages. Random House, 2026. $15 (pb)

Language: G (9 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Auntie Zee does not want 16yo Calisa to help her at her remote Vermont Inn for the summer. Not even for a bit of it. As Calisa works to prove herself to her aunt and help fix the various problems of the inn, she realizes that all is not as it seems. Despite being unlucky in love, Calisa's heart is in the right place and when she realizes the inn really is magical, she knows that here is where she wants to be - if only she could convince Auntie Zee. 

I  love that the budding romance between Calisa and Jack is not the point of the novel - Calisa is a well-rounded heroine who also happens to find love. Durst writes fantasy so well - her world building keeps me fascinated. 

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

Threads of Red by Julie Wright - ADVISABLE

Threads of Red by Julie Wright, 272 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2026. $22.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG (alcohol use, kissing, and partial nudity); Violence: PG13 (assault, fantasy violence, child abuse,  blood and gore, mentions of domestic violence and suicide, and murder)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Loreda (17yo) and Kristell’s (16yo) parents have arranged marriage contracts that benefit their status more than the girls’ happiness. In an attempt to help save her sister from a miserable future, Loreda goes to find their dangerous, conjurer grandmother who lives in the woods. Unfortunately, Loreda’s tormenter invites herself along for the journey.

Wright has mashed the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood with Goldilocks and the Three Bears (and thrown in a little bonus Sleeping Beauty) in magical ways—though there is still a happy ending, the story is not all harmless misunderstandings and true love’s kiss. Be prepared for a Grimm-like tale with suspense, plots of murder, and betrayal. I loved the reimagining of these familiar stories and how friendship and family are the focus with a bonus of true love on the side.

Reviewer: Carolina Johnson

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi - ESSENTIAL

The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi, 400 pages. St. Martin’s, 2026. $22.

Language: G (0 swears, 0  ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (threats, mentions of deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL

APPEALS TO: SEVERAL

Delmelza has always thought herself the unloved daughter of her veritas swan mother and her (evil) sorcerer father. The day she discovers that her mother has been protecting her from father instead, she flees to the only place in the kingdom where she might be safe. To Rathe Castle, where Prince Arris is getting ready for a contest to finally choose a bride that can steal his heart - probably quite literally, right out of his chest. 

Chokshi has restored my faith in fantasy and she brings a delightful new light to “romantasy” (can I tell you how I hate that word). Even when Delmelza finally sees her father again, Chokshi brings a fresh, delightful spin to the encounter. 

Demelza cues white.

I listened to the audiobook provided by libro.fm, narrated by Ell Potter.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS