Published: 2022
Series: The Mythics
Author: Lauren Magaziner
Illustrator: Mirelle Ortega
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Mystery, Adventure
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 3-6
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: The Mythics: Marina and the Kraken
Triggers: None
Review By: Heather Turner
Publisher’s Summary
From Case Closed author Lauren Magaziner and artist Mirelle Ortega comes the first book in a new highly illustrated middle grade fantasy series. Full of action, adventure, and friendship, a team of five girls must stop a powerful villain by finding their mythical familiars.
It’s Pairing Day in Terrafamiliar! Marina has been waiting for this moment—anxiously—for as long as she can remember. Because today’s the day she gets to bond with her animal familiar for life, like every other ten-year-old in the land.
Except after the ceremony ends, Marina doesn’t have one. And she’s not alone . . . four other girls also didn’t get their animal companions. The leaders of Terrafamiliar realize something special is happening: Marina and the other four girls—Kit, Ember, Pippa, and Hailey—are called Mythics.
In times of unrest, the Mythics must earn their Mythies—mythical beasts—in quests of courage. But danger lurks everywhere as there are others seeking this mysterious power. And only the Mythics can save Terrafamiliar!
Review
Oh my gosh! I cannot tell you how much I loved this middle grade novel! It was so much fun, and I absolutely loved the rich world building. The illustrations by Mirelle Ortega are just amazing and really add to the overall magical vibe of the novel.
I just loved the main character, Marina, and her doubtful worry of absolutely everything. When I say everything, I mean everything! She is anxious about every little detail, and I think I identified a lot with her and saw a bit of myself as a kid in her. Many young readers will easily identify with Marina’s hesitation toward trying new things and getting out of her comfort zone. At the start, she is even too shy and terrified to try to make a friend. However, she is thrown into an experience that tests her courage and ultimately brings her everything that she needs. She is a total delight to follow. The other characters in her cohort—Kit, Ember, Pippa, and Hailey—are also incredibly endearing, and I cannot wait to read their stories in the upcoming installments.
Each person in this particular world receives an animal companion on their tenth birthday. However, on Marina’s Pairing Day, no animal appears, which is devastating for her. After a bit of time,
we learn that she is not alone: there are four other girls who did not receive an animal either. This group of kids is incredibly special. Instead of receiving an ordinary animal, they are destined to go out and find mythical creatures thought only to be imaginary. All of the “animalless” girls must go on an epic journey fraught with danger. As the kids set out to find their mythics, others are trying to steal their mythics and the power that comes along with them. It seems that with the appearance of these mythical creatures, a big bad must also be defeated.
This book is fantastic for students who love mythology, books focused on friendship, and high-stakes adventure with just a touch of mystery. I highly recommend it for any school or public library collection!
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Narrative Writing & World-building: This text is an excellent resource for teaching students how to introduce secondary characters, establish fantasy magic systems, and pace an adventure-based plot.
- SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) / Overcoming Anxiety: Marina’s perspective provides a wonderful model for children dealing with anxiety, social fear, and low confidence. The story beautifully shows that acknowledging one’s worries does not prevent someone from acting with immense courage.
Diversity & Representation
The novel features stellar representation of neurodiverse coping styles through Marina’s very real, relatable struggles with anxiety and overthinking. Additionally, the central team (“The Mythics”) showcases a diverse “girl power” ensemble featuring varied personalities, temperaments, and problem-solving styles working collaboratively.
Readalikes
- Unicorn Academy by Julie Sykes
- Wilderlore: The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
- Dragon Girls by Maddy Mara
- Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins
- The Fabled Stables: Willa the Wisp by Jonathan Auxier
