Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cavalancia spins a web of magic and deep-seated familial trauma in this dazzling fantasy murder-mystery debut. After a lifetime of heeding her missing mother's warnings to run from the "strange," 16-year-old Mullory Prudence accepts an invitation to take part in the Mystery Royale, an illusion-infused game in which participants must deduce the culprit of billionaire recluse Xavier Stoutmire's death by unraveling the details of his murder to inherit his magic and wealth. Eager for money to pay for her grandmother's medical expenses, Mullory teams up with Xavier's caustic 16-year-old great-nephew Lyric, who was sent to live with him following an incident in his youth. But as the Royale grows increasingly deadlier and feelings spark between them, the pair must soon choose between each other and the grand prize. Chapters alternating between multiple narrators result in a fast paced read that doesn't sacrifice characterization, particularly of the Stoutmire family members and the cruelties they inflict upon one another for their own gain. The memorable set pieces, unique magic system, and enthralling puzzles will beguile readers, who won't want this spell to be broken anytime soon. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 12--up. Agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--The last piece of advice that Mullory's mother gave her before she disappeared was to "run if the strange finds you." So when scented envelopes begin appearing in unlikely places, Mullory ignores the invitations until she can't anymore. She is being summoned to the Hamptons estate of murdered Xavier Stoutmire as a potential beneficiary of his will. However, his is no ordinary inheritance: it includes billions of dollars, the enchanted Stoutmire Estate, and the powerful magic that Xavier wielded. To win, Mullory must compete in a game of Mystery Royale with Xavier's family members by unraveling the details of his murder over the course of five lavishly themed parties. Her most intimidating adversary is Lyric, raised by Xavier on a steady diet of abuse and who, due to inheritance laws governing magical families, will be bereft of magic unless he emerges victorious. The two form an uneasy alliance shot through with romantic chemistry, but their relationship is strained as the stakes of the game grow deadly. Told from the alternating perspectives of Mullory, Lyric, and Lyric's high-strung sister Ellison, all cued as white, each well-developed character offers a different window into the deep dysfunction of the Stoutmire family. Memorable worldbuilding, a house full of secrets and puzzles, and layers of family trauma will keep readers engaged and entice them into an implied sequel. VERDICT This novel takes the successful inheritance-mystery formula and infuses it with dark, illusory magic. Hand this to fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes's The Inheritance Games or Joelle Wellington's Their Vicious Games.--Elizabeth Giles
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A contentious group enters a high-stakes competition for a magical inheritance in Cavalancia's debut. Before 16-year-old Mullory Prudence's mother burned their house down, leaving Mullory and Gran alone and destitute in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, she gave her daughter a warning: "Run if the strange finds you." Mullory has tried to do just that, but she's unable to ignore a barrage of letters from mysterious recluse Xavier Stoutmire. She agrees to compete for a sizable inheritance of $2.5 billion--and "the entirety of his magic." The other young competitors include five of Xavier's great-nieces and great-nephews, and Mateo Maldonado, who, like Mullory, isn't a family member. They're all brought together at Stoutmire Estate in the Hamptons, where the will and conditions are read. Having already been warned of his own murder by Cousin Cecilia, Xavier has decreed that his lucky heir will be determined through a game of Mystery Royale, in which participants must solve the crime. Over the course of nine days, the contestants attend five parties during which they seek the clues that will help them win before the time is up. The most delicious intrigue, however, is uncovering the deep-seated emotional baggage that lies behind the individual competitors' drive to succeed. A surprising and somewhat open-ended conclusion sets the story up nicely for a potential sequel. Main characters are cued white. An intriguing, surprise-filled journey of family conflict, competition, and secrets. (family tree)(Mystery. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
