Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
After she accidentally defeats an ancient supernatural monster attacking her bookstore-owning parents, British Indian 11-year-old Vanya Vallen, who has ADHD and the ability to speak to rare self-aware books, discovers her family is part of a secret magical world. For her own safety, Vanya is sent to study at the hidden magical library known as Auramere, Archive of the Arcane, under the protection of Jasper Blackthorn, a family friend and a powerful archwitch. For Vanya, who because of her brown skin and excitable nature has never felt like she fits in, being at Auramere presents the opportunity to lose herself in novelty and information, and to make new friends. But Auramere has secrets and dangers, such as the threat of the unstoppable Wild Hunt, and immortal entities that prey on humankind. The somewhat rushed and predictable plot of this jovial series opener by Mandanna (Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic) features all the hallmarks of an exciting magical school tale, including an enchanting setting, fantastical monsters, and intriguing magic systems. Nuanced depictions of neurodivergent characters and how they move within a magical society add further depth. Ages 8--12. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Mar.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Vanya Vallen, an 11-year-old with ADHD, feels out of place in her mostly white English town and finds solace in books--especially those that talk to her! Vanya is stunned to learn that the mythical creatures she's read about are real when a monster from dark folklore invades her home. As questions about her mother's mysterious past arise, Vanya travels to Auramere, an enchanted library and school, to learn how to protect her family. Among archwitches and archivists, Vanya finally finds a sense of belonging with her new caretakers, Jasper and his husband Roman. But safety is fleeting, and as the ominous Wild Hunt looms, Vanya must find the courage to protect her newfound community. In a market brimming with Western European folklore and Greco-Roman mythology, Mandanna's narrative shines, balancing traditional tropes (mermaids and bogeymen) with culturally specific elements like Suvannamaccha, Dullahan, and Goggayya. Fast-paced and engaging, the story carries themes of belonging and self-acceptance, making Vanya's journey resonate with neurodivergent and neurotypical readers alike. Vanya's close-knit family all share dark brown eyes and hair; Vanya and her mother, who grew up near India's Western Ghats, have light brownish-gold skin, while her father from South London has deep golden-brown skin. Supporting characters include friends Ben, a green-eyed, blond boy who identifies as autistic, and bubbly, baking-obsessed Poppy, who is Black. VERDICT A compelling blend of folklore and adventure that will appeal to fans of B. B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers and Jessica Townsend's Nevermoor, this is a beautiful, inclusive work that's also a terrific story; highly recommended for middle grade collections.--Rose Garrett
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Magic abounds in this coming-of-age story about finding strength in the face of formidable odds. Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen struggles to belong in the small English city where her parents, both of Indian descent, run a bookstore. Her brown skin makes her a target at school, her ADHD gets her into trouble, and she seems to be the only one who can hear the rare books in the store talking. When she finds her mother battling a terrifying monster, she discovers a web of secrets shrouding her parents' lives. Before long, Vanya's parents send her away to Auramere, a school of magic hidden in the Nilgiri Mountains of South India, where they were once students themselves. Under the guardianship of Irish Jasper and his husband, Roman, old friends of her parents', Vanya makes new friends, discovers her strengths, and comes to terms with her neurodiversity, all the while trying to unearth the mysteries surrounding her mother's past. But when the Wild Hunt, a dark, sentient force, threatens Auramere, Vanya steps up to take on a burden she's unready for--and that could well destroy her. The vivid worldbuilding weaves characters from world mythology into a narrative that crackles with action. While taking little from the lore or culture of the region of India the school is set in, the book does feature nuanced characterization and positive portrayals of the diverse cast. Final art not seen. An engaging, well-developed introduction to a magical world.(Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
