The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner - OPTIONAL

The Incorruptibles by Lauren Magaziner, 386 pages. Aladdin (Simon), 2025. $19

Language: G (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (some fighting)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: SOME

After fighting against the children of the local evil sorcerers who rule their lives in 13yo Fiora’s small village, and then tangling with even more powerful sorcerers known as the Radiance, Fiora and her uncle are running for their lives with the aid of a group of Incorruptibles - a technology-focused group whose goal is force the sorcerers from power. Fiora is given a chance to become an Incorruptible, or Inc, but because she started late, even her own squad are slow to welcome her. Then it seems that someone is feeding information to the Radiance - and Firoa will go to great lengths to prove her own innocence and catch the culprit.

I only rated Magaziner’s book as OPTIONAL, because it is awfully long, especially as it reads more for upper elementary, rather than middle school. Your voracious fantasy will love it. 

The characters cue white. A trans character mentioned.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS

 

Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard - MANY

Blade Breaker (Realm Breaker #2) by Victoria Aveyard, 592 pages. HarperTeen, 2022. $10 

Language: R (10 swears 2 'f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kissing; implied sex, no details); Violence: R (bloody deaths)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Corayne and her mismatched crew are reeling from the battle to close the Spindle as they observe dead Galland soldiers and sea serpents surrounding them. As they move on, forty Ibal soldiers approach and tell the crew they have orders from their king to take Corayne to him, and the crew travels along because they’re staying together. The group has no idea what to expect when they meet the Ibal king. Erida continues to take kingdoms by force with the help of Prince Taristan and wizard Ronin, both of whom are occupied by the demon What Waits, and when she kills a fifteen-year-old princess, she gains another kingdom. A new Spindle is found and when Corayne reaches it to close it, she discovers a trap. Will evil or good conquer the realm? 

I love the world-building and the character development. I enjoyed the intensity of the conflicts. I appreciate how this book and series feel like an epic fantasy. The characters are described with various shades of skin from pale to brown. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - MANY

Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows) by Leigh Bardugo. 560 pages. Henry Holt and Company BYR. 2016. $16. 

Language: R (68 swears 1 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (passionate kiss) Violence: PG-13 (bloody shot, explosion, bloody fights, fatal fall) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

17yo Kaz and his crew are working together to get Inej back after she was kidnapped to be used as a trade for the young scientist who knows how to make the drug parem that increases Grisha power. This drug has become a highly sought after commodity because of its incredible strength but it has dire consequences for severe addiction. Nina is fighting that addiction after she took parem just one time so she could save the crew. The group is staying steadfast by her side and helping her fight the need for the drug. Another problem has cropped up involving Jesper’s father; he has been used as bait to lure Jesper and the Crows out of hiding so now Kaz is taking care of him too and helping get the money to save his family farm. Wylan finds out the truth about his mom that supposedly died when he was eight and how his father placed her in an insane asylum and divorced her to claim her money. 

All these situations intertwine to create another book full of complex schemes masterminded by Kaz Brekker, leader of the Crows. I love the humor. The cleverness and complex schemes kept me on my toes. The loyalty is priceless. Jesper is brown and his Dad is Kaelish-dark red hair and salt-white skin; Kaz is white, Inej is Suli (a Grisha heritage), and Nina is white.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - MANY

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, 480 pages. Henry Holt and Co. BYR 2015. $12

Language: R (34 swears 1 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13; (implied sex); PG-13 bloody stab wounds, dead bodies impaled on pikes 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

17yo Kaz leads a group of thieves in Ketterdam. He has built himself up from solitude, poverty and despair since he was nine years old and his brother died. Kaz wants revenge on the man who took everything from him and his brother by swindling them and he’s gaining power for this purpose. Kaz and his mismatched crew are attempting the biggest and craziest heist ever to gain more leverage and to get control of the person who has created a drug to make Grisha even more powerful. Kaz is good at keeping secrets and information quiet and it just might drive his crew apart. 

I love the intensity of the characters and the story itself. The background building of each character is fantastic. The danger and suspense make it a fun read! The ethnicities included are the following: Kaz is white, Inej is bronze skinned and Suli descent, dark skin Jesper, Nina from Ravka with green eyes and white, Matthias is also white. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian

All the King’s Traitors by Keylin Rivers - ADVISABLE

All the King’s Traitors by Keylin Rivers, pages. Astre Encre, 2019. $15.

Language: PG (9 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

The God-King has ruled for centuries and continues his ruthless rule and expansion. However, not everyone is content to sit back and watch. Though in very different circumstances, several parties are learning that everything the God-King has built is founded on lies and deception -- but how can you commit treason against your God?

With several points of view and magic rules to learn, reading this book starts with a steep learning curve, and I wondered how many new characters Rivers could keep introducing before it got to be too much. The story definitely gets more interesting the farther you read, but it can be hard to want to keep going because of how slow it feels to get the full breadth of understanding. With all of those characters and their differing knowledge of what’s going on, readers must be mentally ready to keep everything straight (meaning that this is not a light afternoon read). The mature content rating is for alcohol use, nudity, mentions of rape, and sexual harassment; the violence rating is for battle gore and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

A Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir - OPTIONAL

A Reaper at the Gates (Ember in the Ashes, #3) by Sabaa Tahir, 458 pages.  Razorbill (Penguin), 2018.  $20.  

Content: Language: R (100+ swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

The three main characters are up against their own foes.   Helene is the evil Emperor Marcus’ military leader and every step she takes, whether good or bad, effects Helene’s sister who is married to the Emperor.  As Helene tries to walk the fine balance between what is right for the kingdom and obeying the Emperor, she must face her true enemy the cunning Commandant, who passes herself off as loyal to the Emperor while creating conflict throughout the kingdom.  Elias starts to realize what it means to be the Soul Collector, a responsibility he took to help Laia, whom he loves.  As the magic of being a Soul Collector starts to build up in Elias he must choose between his human side and the magical side, or all of humanity will suffer.  Laia, doesn’t want to be a leader, but if she doesn’t take care of her people the evil Nightbringer will reap destruction on them all.  Each character has their own story, but they all connect as they are trying to do the right thing for their kingdom.  

Here’s the thing about this book- I have read through all the violent dark despair of three books now in the hopes that my three main characters, who I’ve totally fallen in love with, will make it out okay.  The ending builds up to a big cliff hanger and I’m annoyed-I wanted an ending-a happy one.  This is a well done series with lots of development, but now I must wait until next year to find out what happens next and I just want it to be over and the kingdom to be saved.  The violence is over the top brutal, gruesome and tortuous and the mature content is a heavy make-out session.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson   

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir - OPTIONAL

A Torch Against the Night (Ember in the Ashes, #2) by Sabaa Tahir, 452 pages.  Razorbill (Penguin), 2016.  $20.  

Content: Language: R (117 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

BUYING ADVISORY: HS – OPTIONAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

Elias and Laia have run away from Blackcliffs and plan on rescuing Laia’s brother from prison, but they are being hunted by Elia’s best friend Helene.  Helene has to capture Elias or her family will be killed and although she doesn’t want to bring him in, she has sworn fealty to Emperor Marcus.  Helene is also certain that the commandant is brewing up war and that she is on a fool’s errand chasing Elias.  Behind the actions of both the good and the bad is an other-worldly presence that is threatening to put the whole kingdom into war.  

This series completely pulls me in and this book was even better than the first book.  I love the chemistry between Elias and Laia and the action is non-stop.  My biggest complaint about this book is the brutal, hopeless violence that usually involves torture, making it hard to recommend to young adults.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi - ESSENTIAL

Adeyemi, Tomi Children of Blood and Bone, 525 pages.  Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2018.  $19.  Language: PG-13 (40+ swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (several deaths and fighting).

Zelie’s life has never been the same since she watched her mother murdered by the king’s guards on the day that everyone just calls The Raid.  She has the telltale white hair of a diviner, a potential magic user, but magic has disappeared from the world.  She and her brother have traveled to the royal city in order to get a better price on their fish so that they can pay the new exorbitant taxes the king has levied.  Instead she gets caught up with the princess Amari who is on the run from her father and his guards, because she has stolen a scroll – a scroll that ignites magic in diviners.  Now the siblings and the princess are on a desperate flight – their chief pursuer is Amari’s own brother.  Their success will determine whether magic returns or not – whether the remaining diviners will live or not.

ADeyemi writes a tense fantasy novel that will attract many readers.  Its quality and plotting reminds me of Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta – in all the best ways.  Excellent high level fantasy reading!

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce - ESSENTIAL

Pierce, Tamora Tempests and Slaughter (Numair Chronicles #1), 464 pages.  Random House, 2018.  $19.  Language: G; Mature Content: PG-13 (maturation talk); Violence: PG-13 (gladiators and deaths).

Before Numair became known as the most powerful wizard of the Tortal universe, before he married the love of his life, Daine, the Wildmage, he was Arram Draper, a young, shy, and precocious mage-in-training at Carthak.  As he grows into his magic, he is befriended by the university’s other powerful mages, his fellow students Ozorne and Varice, and all of high level teachers.  As Arram’s power and control grows, his friend Ozorne inches closer to the throne of Carthak as his older brothers die in various ways.

I loved revisiting Tamora Pierce – this summer I am definitely re-reading everything she has written.  While there is some action and danger, the wonder of Pierce is the complex, compelling stories that she tells.  Her works are character driven, not plot driven and this is so refreshing in children’s books.  It takes a more sophisticated reader to enjoy the unfolding, but the journey is well worth it.

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

Tortall: A Spy’s Guide by Tamora Pierce - OPTIONAL

Pierce, Tamora Tortall: A Spy’s Guide: Compiled by George Cooper, Tortall’s Spymaster, 294 pages.  Random House, 2017.  $25. 

While this is called a spy’s guide, I am mystified why it starts out with a letter from Alanna to George telling him she’s pregnant again.  After that it is a mishmash of letters, reports, lists, and other stuff that only gives you insights and interest if you read everything slowly and carefully.  As much as I adore all of Pierce’s books, this one I don’t.  I’m going to hand it off to a student who just read most of the stories to get his opinion also.

MS – OPTIONAL.  Cindy, Library Teacher

The Adventurer's Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me) by Wade Albert White - OPTIONAL

White, Wade Albert The Adventurer’s Guide to Dragons (and Why They Keep Biting Me), 366 pgs. Little, Brown 2017. $16.99. Language: G ( 0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (Sword fights and battles but not at all graphic)  

When Anne, Penelope and Hiro are nominated for “Best Illegal Quest that Nearly Destroyed the Entire World”, the award ceremony is overtaken by a boy and his robot guards who compel Anne into activating a new quest - but this one is even more dangerous than the last, and the Dragon Queen is in danger.  Picking a fight with the dragon queen is never a good idea, sending our heroes on another “things go from bad to worse” adventure.  

A continuation of the adventures from book 1 there are new characters, old friends, and complete surprises.  It’s very difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys, but the adventure is exciting, the humor is delightful and the pace will keep the pages turning.  “Guide to Dragons” is better than “Successful Escapes” as the adventure starts right away and doesn’t really end, however, the reader will be in for the long haul as I’m sure there is another installment.  This mix of fantasy and science fiction is an interesting use of the genres.

MS - OPTIONAL  Lisa Librarian

Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden - ESSENTIAL

Rudden, Dave.  Knights of the Borrowed Dark.  377 pages.  Random House, 2016.  $16.99. 

Violence: PG, Sexual Content: G, Language: PG (9 swears). 

Not just another sword book—this time the ultimate weapon is a hammer. 

Denizen Hardwick is thirteen-years-old and the last eleven years were spent in a miserable orphanage in Ireland.  The orphanage director tells him to pack a bag, his aunt is going to take him for a few days.  He didn’t even know he had an aunt.  His aunt doesn’t pick him up, but a man named Graham McCarron.  On the way to meet his aunt in Dublin, they are attacked by monsters from the shadows.  McCarron defeats them.  Denizen arrives in headquarters to learn that his aunt is a part of a secret order called the Knights of the Borrowed Dark, and she is the Malleus, or leader, and wields a hammer.  Denizen too has power to fight them, but his aunt barely talks to him.  She won’t tell him anything about his parents or the secrets of the order.  Meanwhile, terrible things are happening at the orphanage and his best friend Simon is hiding.  Denizen’s two worlds will collide and he will decide the fates of both. 

The pacing is quick and the plot twists are unexpected.  Tween and teen boys will love the battles with plenty of guts and glory.  Denizen is a likable character whose growth is consistent with the story.  There are both strong male and female characters.  There are familiar elements to the story, but overall it felt fresh and new.  Expect exciting sequels.  Recommend to Rick Riordan fans. 

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL.  Samantha Hastings, MA, MLS.  

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo - ADVISABLE

Bardugo, Leigh  Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2), 536 pgs.  Henry Holt and Company, 2016.  $18.99 

Content: Language: R (80 swears; 1 “F”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

Kaz Brekker finished the job he promised Van Eck,a  member of the merchant council, but instead of his reward, he had one of his favorite members of his crew, Inej, taken from him.  In order for Kaz to bargain for Inej’s life, he has to manipulate Van Eck.  Brekker and his crew work together to free Inej and ultimately to get paid for the job they completed for Van Eck.  In a game of manipulation, love and wit, Brekker and his crew work the town of Ketterdam to earn what they deserve.

I loved this duology.  Each chapter is told from alternate perspectives of the main characters.  My favorite part was when all the secrets and manipulation that are built up throughout came together and were revealed.  The content is upsetting violence, including threat of torture and gruesome deaths, as well as a characters reflection on her upsetting experiences in a brothel.  There are a couple of homosexual kisses.  The cast of audio readers are amazing.

HS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.    

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - ADVISABLE

Bardugo, Leigh  Six of Crows, 462 pgs.  Henry Holt and Company, 2015.  $18.99  Content: Language: R (30 Swears; 1 “F”); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: R.  

Brekker has a misfit gang whom he uses to make money on the hard streets of Ketterdam.  When Brekker is given a job that will earn him and his gang millions, he knows the stakes are high but the freedom or revenge they all seek suddenly seems like it can be made a reality.  The only problem is that the job is in the ice lands of Fierda and the chances of Brekker and his gang making it out alive are slim.  

There are a lot of characters and places that take a while to get used to, but once I got into this story I couldn’t put it down.  I liked all of the backstories and the relationships between the characters and the world is well built with magical elements. The violence is pretty gruesome and shocking and there are brothels scenes.  The audio readers are fantastic.

HS – ADVISABLE.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.     

Crystal Storm by Morgan Rhodes - ESSENTIAL

Rhodes, Morgan  Crystal Storm (Falling Kingdoms, #5), 379 pgs.  Razorbill, 2016 (Penguin).  $18.99  Content: Language: PG-13 (39 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG-13.  

Amara has killed her whole family and currently reigns over all of Kraeisha.  Amara has married the wicked King Gaius so she can also reign over all of Mytica.  Unlikely alliances are formed between Princess Cleo and Prince Mangus as well as Jonas as they all try to save Mytica from the larger threat of Amara.  Together they work to find the kindreds so they can gain magical power and help to gain control.  Prince Mangus’s sister, Lucia, tries to right her past wrongs and one of Amara’s dead family members makes a comeback.  All of the rulers are brought together and have to put aside their pasts so they can save the land they have all given up so much for.  

This is a cliffhanger!  I love this series and how well the world is crafted.  I love the characters and their history with each other and this novel takes an interesting turn by having them work together.  At this point it’s impossible to read the books out of order or the reader would be completely lost, but it’s worth reading the whole series.  The violence can be disturbing as Amara is a ruthless killer involving torture, alluding to being skinned alive and being buried alive.  

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes - ESSENTIAL

Rhodes, Morgan  Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms, #4), 413 pgs.  Razorbill, 2015.  $18.99  Content: Language: PG-13 (36 swears); Mature Content: PG-13; Violence: PG-13.   

Prince Magnus and Princess Cleo have escaped from King Gaius’ attempt to execute Cleo.  Although, Cleo feels like she likes Magnus, her friends keep warning her away from him and she struggles with what he has done in the past.  They will have to band together with their rebel friends if they have any hope of saving Mytica from King Gaius’ thirst for power.  Princess Lucia is coming into her magic and the kindred are being gathered and all the leaders are hoping to have that power on their side.   

This fantasy series is impossible to put down.  Although I wait a year between each book, it is easy to pick up and remember everything that is going on.  This book was action packed and alliances are starting to be made.  I loved this book, the same as I have loved all the books in the series.  The violence is someone’s eye is removed and a hand is cut off.   

MS, HS – ESSENTIAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.