Dhonielle Clayton

The Marvellers

Ashton Reed

Sarah Sammis

** spoiler alert **
           What put me off was the inclusion of a secret big bad. I know, it's a trope. The big bad hiding a school or having a beef with a school has a long standing tradition. Readers who like that trope will enjoy how Clayton handles it here.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

Heather Harrington

Ashley Wendt

I don’t know why this took me so long to read! All I can say is that it’s been a whirlwind exhausting end to a school year that had made it hard for me to pick up a book for any length of a time. This was an absolute pleasure to read. It had mystery. It had world building and imagery. It had that core group of 3 friends that you root for and want to know more about. The conflict and the tension made me feel something deep. And the magic. I love me a robust well developed magical school and magic system. Dhonielle Clayton is quickly becoming one of my easy Buy Now with 1-click musts. I’ve enjoyed her YA reads but her middle grade is slapping! I cant wait for the next installment of the Marvellers! This is right up there with Morgan Crow and Harry Potter!

I really really really enjoyed this one! Think Harry Potter but whimsical instead of cozy…

Goodreads synopsis
Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, where Marvellers from all around the world come together to practice their cultural arts like brewing Indian spice elixirs, practicing Caribbean steel drum hypnosis, and bartering with fussy Irish faeries. Ella knows some people mistrust her Conjuror magic, often deemed "bad and unnatural," but she's eager to make a good impression—and, hopefully, some friends.

But Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy, and not all of the Marvellers are welcoming. Still, she connects with fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, who is never found without a magical creature or two. Just as Ella begins to find her way at the A.T.I., a notorious criminal escapes from prison, supposedly with Conjurors’ help. Worse, her favorite teacher Masterji Thakur never returns from a research trip, and only Ella seems concerned about his disappearance.

As tensions grow in the Marvellian world, Ella finds herself the target of vicious rumors and growing suspicions. With the help of her new friends, Ella must find a way to clear her family's name and track down her beloved mentor Masterji Thakur . . . before she loses her place at the A.T.I. forever.

This book is really precious and fun and magical! It was the perfect little taste of fantasy to get me back in a fantasy mood!

First of all, the setting is fantastic. The magical academy vibes are immaculate and whimsical, with a focus on stars and clouds that make everything oh so dreamy. But there’s a lightheartedness, as well, that reminds me so much of Harry Potter and other books in that realm of middle-grade fantasy. The blend of epic magic and quirkiness is absolutely perfect, and I was very impressed with the little details that completed the vibe.

Clayton does a fantastic job of making her middle-grade characters actually realistic for their age. I truly felt, the whole time, that I knew exactly how old these characters were by their dialogue, their actions, and Ella’s internal commentary. I completely understood their motivations because I could easily think “hmm how I did I act in 5th/6th grade? … Yep, I get it.”

Speaking of characters, I really really loved every single character in this book. Honestly. There are mean kids, of course there are. But every character felt three-dimensional and realistic, especially our main character Ella! I LOVE HER. She struggles with middle school things like wanting to belong, but she also knows what she stands for and stands up for others too. She’s precious and I love how she reacts to how she’s treated as an “outsider.”

Plot-wise, this book slays. In a lighthearted, Harry Potter-esque way. I was completely intrigued the entire time; Clayton also does a great job at unfolding the mystery at a nice pace where it isn’t overly predictable but also doesn’t stress you out because you don’t know what’s going on… maybe that’s just a me-thing, but still, I appreciated it haha!

Oh, and lastly, the diversity in this book is AMAZING. As it should be. I'll leave that there.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While I wish a few details were a little less similar to Harry Potter, I loved loved loved the vibes, the themes, the characters, everything about it! I recommend this one for lovers of Harry Potter and fantasy worlds / vibes like that!

*I received a free e-arc of this novel from Fierce Reads in exchange for exposure and an honest review; all opinions in this review are my own. This book was published on May 3rd, 2022!*





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The Marvellers

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