Where the Dark Stands Still by A. B. Poranek

3 stars A Gothic fantasy with cozy Polish charm. This is an interesting read in its duality with the blending of Slavic folklore and Polish culture. On one side is baking, found family, and homemaking, and the other is magic, bargains, spirits, and demons. I didn’t particularly care for either of the main characters or…

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Afro Unicorn: The Land of Afronia, Vol. 1 by April Showers

Text by Terrance Crawford Illustrated by Ronaldo Barata 2 stars Nice to get a longer adventure about the Afro Unicorns. This one focuses on Unique and Divine as they make their way to the Festival of Crowns. Along the way, they learn one of the crowns has gone missing. The story itself was okay. A…

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Goosebumps: Deep Trouble by R. L. Stine

2 stars This one was okay. Took a quick dive into fantasy, which was unexpected. Based on the cover, I thought there would be more sharks in this one. Growing up, I was always too scared to read Goosebumps because of the covers. But now that I’ve read a few as an adult, I realize…

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Mage and the Endless Unknown by SJ Miller

3 stars An odd little story filled with darkness, horrors, and unexpected light. A mostly wordless tale about a little mage who sets off into a world of mysterious monsters to help heal the cursed land. The artwork is hauntingly beautiful. Loved the blend of cuteness and horror. Great for fans of Over the Garden…

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Grilled Cheese and Dragons (Princess Pulverizer #1) by Nancy Krulik

Illustrated by Ben Balistreri 4 stars I loved this book! Action, adventure, and humor. Princess Pulverizer does not want to be a princess. She’d rather be a knight. In order to attend Knight School, she must first complete a Quest of Kindness to prove herself. I always love an unconventional princess and Princess Pulverizer is…

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Ghost Book by Remy Lai

5 stars A stunning graphic novel featuring all sorts of ghosts from spooky to friendly to downright adorable. A great adventure with plenty of humor, friendship, and mischief along the way. I loved this book. July Chen’s yin-yang eyes allow her to see ghosts. She usually tries to ignore them, but when she encounters a…

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The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung

Illustrated by Hanna Cha 5 stars A stunning picture book that celebrates heritage, identity, and stories. Follow a young boy as he travels through his mother’s bedtime story to visit his grandmothers and learn their truths about dragons. A wonderful blend of Eastern and Western mythologies and a beautiful emphasis on the validity of both…

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The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

2.5 stars An interesting dive into the world of Norse mythology. I loved the idea of a novel following Angrboda and tying together some stories of witches, giantesses, and other mysterious women. For me, the first part of the book really dragged. I liked the second half more as things picked up, but that whole…

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Wizkit: An Adventure Overdue by Tanya J. Scott

3 stars Wizkit is a wizard’s apprentice who prefers lounging inside and using magic to get out of doing work. But when the wizard instructs her to return an overdue library book, she’s forced to set out on a quest with the chatty book. Along the way, the pair make new friends, help other’s with…

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