Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
Katharine McGee’s A Queen’s Game combines history, romance, and royal drama in a beautifully written story about three princesses torn between love and duty. Fans of American Royals will adore this elegant and emotional tale of power, identity, and heart.
T. J. Klune’s Somewhere Beyond the Sea revisits Marsyas Island with tenderness and heart. Told from Arthur’s perspective, this emotional sequel explores identity, family, and courage in the face of oppression. It is a beautiful continuation of a world defined by love, empathy, and belonging.
B. B. Alston’s Amari series blends magic, mystery, and heart. In The Great Game and The Despicable Wonders, Amari grows into a courageous young heroine facing moral choices and real-world parallels of prejudice and leadership. A must-read for middle grade fantasy fans.
Fairest of All offers a haunting backstory for Disney’s Evil Queen, exploring how heartbreak and manipulation led her down a path of darkness. Valentino balances fantasy and tragedy, showing how grief and insecurity can transform love into obsession. While the story could dive deeper into the Queen’s inner turmoil, it’s still an engaging read for fans of fairy tale retellings and moral complexity. Perfect for readers who enjoy exploring what makes a villain.
After the mysterious and grisly murder of her father, Marjan, an Iranian American teen, struggles to manage his struggling veterinary practice. When a stranger delivers a plane ticket to London and claims Marjan must tend to a mythical animal, she is thrust into a hidden world where griffons, unicorns, and other legendary creatures exist. A