To Shape a Dragon's Breath

To Shape a Dragon's Breath

by Moniquill Blackgoose
Del Rey, 2023. 511 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Nampeshiweisit" series

The remote island of Masquapaug has not seen a dragon in many generations—until fifteen-year-old Anequs finds a dragon’s egg and bonds with its hatchling. To her people, Anequs is revered as Nampeshiweisit—a person in a unique relationship with a dragon. Unfortunately for Anequs, the Anglish conquerors of her land have different opinions. Only with great reluctance do they allow Anequs to enroll in a proper Anglish dragon school on the mainland. Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.

I'm always a fan of a protagonist that goes to lengths to disrupt the social hierarchy, especially one that is racist and sexist. While it has roots in reality, the world that Blackgoose has created is complex and rich in its history and scope. I particularly enjoyed learning  the details about their fantasy version of chemistry, which others in the genre gloss over or ignore altogether. However, I see how this could be a bit laborious and cumbersome to those with a different academic background. Also, dragons are always fun, but I feel they could have been developed a little further as characters. And the romance was a very slow burn: IIRC first kiss somewhere around 70%. This one definitely needs a sequel.

The Daughters of Izdihar

The Daughters of Izdihar

by Hadeer Elsbai
Harper Voyager, 2023. 384 pages. Fantasy

As a waterweaver, Nehal can move any water to her will, and she desires nothing more than to attend the Weaving Academy, take control of her powers, and pursue a future with the first all-female military regiment. But her family cannot afford to let her go, and Nehal is forcibly married into a wealthy merchant family. Her new spouse is indifferent and in love with another woman, a bookseller named Giorgina. Giorgina has her own secret, however: she is an earthweaver with dangerously uncontrollable powers. Her only solace comes from the Daughters of Izdihar, a radical women's rights group with a simple goal: to attain recognition for women to have a say in their own lives. Tensions are rising with a neighboring nation that desires an end to weaving. As Nehal and Giorgina fight for their rights, the threat of war looms in the background, and the two women find themselves struggling to earn--and keep--a lasting freedom.

I absolutely loved the magic system: elemental magics are my jam! It was also lovely to have the cultural influences of Egypt and Western Asia reflected in this work. I'm usually not a fan of multiple POVs, but Elsbai made the work flow effectively and smoothly between the two tightly intertwined storylines. There were times when the gentle pacing seemed to drag, and the allusions to (and outright portrayal of) civil rights seemed a bit heavy-handed. I wish we had seen more of the protagonist's relationship with Malak, the leader of the Daughters of Izdihar. I also was disappointed that this book was quite long, and yet the ending was extremely unsatisfying. I understand that it's part of a duology, but it felt like the plot was arbitrarily interrupted by the end of the book.

The Forbidden Wish

The Forbidden Wish

by Jessica Khoury
Razorbill, 2016. 352 pages. Young Adult Romantasy

When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years—a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes. But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. Is winning her freedom worth losing her heart? 

This was a great retelling of Aladdin, and I had my doubts considering it was billed as a YA romance. The romance was a part of the story, but not the main focus, and it built up so organically that it didn't seem forced in any way. The powerful, smart, flawed women in this work were a breath of fresh air, especially seeing them work together instead of tear each other down: a far cry from the typical fairy tale stereotype of a damsel in distress. Khoury strikes a good balance of familiarity from the original folktale and freshness of an original storyline with intricate and lavish descriptions. While I generally shy away from comparing retellings to their originals, I think it's safe to say I enjoyed this significantly more than the 1992 animated Aladdin (Sorry, Robin Williams. RIP).

The Last Fallen Star

The Last Fallen Star

by Graci Kim
Rick Riordan Presents, 2021. 336 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Gifted Clans" series

Riley Oh can't wait to see her sister earn her Gi bracelet and finally be able to cast spells without adult supervision, even though Riley herself has no magic. Then Hattie gets an idea: what if the two of them could cast a spell that would allow Riley to share Hattie's magic? They decide to perform a forbidden incantation from the family's old spell book, but in so doing, they violate the laws of the Godrealm. With Hattie's life hanging in the balance, Riley has to fulfill an impossible task: find the last fallen star. But what even is the star, and how can she find it? Riley finds herself meeting fantastic creatures, collaborating with her worst enemies, and uncovering secrets that challenge everything she has been taught to believe. Now she must decide what it means to be a witch, what it means to be family, and what it really means to belong.

I love the way in which Kim has seamlessly incorporated Korean mythology (about which I know very little) into modern life without info-dumping tons and tons of backstory. She deftly addresses the struggles of immigrants' descendants to connect with their roots while keeping the story entertaining and the plot moving. This work is definitely set up for a sequel (or multiple), of which there are already two published.

The Awakening

The Awakening

by Nora Roberts
St. Martin's, 2020. 435 pages. Fantasy

Book #1 in the "Dragon Heart Legacy" series

When Breen Kelly was a girl, her father would tell her stories of magical places. Now she’s mired in student debt and working a job she hates, until she stumbles upon a shocking discovery: her mother has been hiding an investment account in her name, funded by her long-lost father — and worth nearly four million dollars. But little does Breen know that when she uses some of the money to journey to Ireland, it will unlock mysteries she couldn’t have imagined.

I've not read anything by Nora Roberts before (nor her pseudonym J.D. Robb), so I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was delighted by how easily I was swept away into the storyline, despite the somewhat relaxed pacing. I had expected more romantic elements, but I wasn't bothered that they were not the focus of the work. I do wish that the queer side characters were developed a bit further; some of them seemed a little like caricatures of stereotypes. The story definitely has an open ending, which makes sense considering the trilogy has an additional two volumes. Roberts's book makes me all the more excited to pack my bags and explore the British Isles this coming autumn.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T. J. Klune
Tor, 2020. 396 pages. Fantasy

Quiet homebody Linus Baker spends his days overseeing the well-being of magical children in government-sanctioned orphanages. When he is unexpectedly given a curious and highly classified assignment regarding the Antichrist, Linus meet the charming and enigmatic caretaker Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

This heartwarming story has such a witty and engaging writing style that I didn't want to set it down. But the real gem is the intricately crafted characters, and they felt so realistic. Arthur is the embodiment of kindness, purely steadfast and dependable. His magical charges are colorful and eclectic, which contrast sharply with Linus's restrained and monochromatic personality. These disparate pieces come together to prove that family has nothing to do with blood and everything to do with love. 

Five Midnights

Five Midnights

by Ann Dávila Cardinal
Tor Teen, 2019. 288 pages. Horror

When teen Lupe Dávila travels from Vermont to Puerto Rico to visit police chief uncle, she arrives just as he is called to the scene of a grisly murder, the first of many. Lupe and her new friend Javier set out to discover who -- or what -- is causing these murders. But the clues they find lead them into a world of myth, legend, and shadow.

This trilling novel sets the Latin American myth of el Cuco against the backdrop of modern-day San Juan. As a Puerto Rican female author, Cardinal seems to understand that not everyone in her reader base will understand written Spanish; therefore, she masterfully crafts passages that include Spanish phrases and dialogue, always being sure to weave in translations or explanations. However, the characterization feels a little forced: the protagonist never really settles into any distinct personality traits, except perhaps for teenage angst. Despite this, the break-neck pace of this plot makes for a very compelling read. 

The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Bloomsbury, 2011. 378 pages. Fantasy

Brought together by chance, Achilles -- a strong and irresistible warrior -- and Patroclus -- an awkward, exiled prince -- forge an inseparable bond, risking the wrath of the gods. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of glory, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

A fresh take on a Greek classic, this work showcases the character development of Achilles, the helplessness of Patroclus, and their innocent, strong love, all while preserving the characterization of the capricious, vengeful gods found in Homer's works. The descriptions were vivid and vibrant, if at times at the expense of the plot progression. It's worth noting that the women in this work are reduced to tropes, as seen in the misogynistic original myths; Miller's Circe is recommended as a companion read to highlight the true power of women.

Reading Suggestion: If You Liked Harry Potter...

Book-lovers everywhere know the satisfaction of finishing a great read, and there’s an extra-special feeling that comes from completing a favorite story for the umpteenth time. In our house, the plot and characters of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series are well-known and cherished, and our copies are dog-eared and well-loved. I hope we never get too old for the magic of Hogwarts.

In my fledgling career as a librarian, several people have asked me to recommend “something like Harry Potter” for them to read after finishing the series. With all the books in our beautiful library, it should be easy to find something that fits the bill, right?

Well, that’s trickier than it seems.

For starters, there’s no doubt that Harry Potter has deeply influenced our culture. Consider the following questions:

• What house are you in?
• What’s your Patronus?
• Would you ever use Imperio or Crucio or Avada Kedavra?

The fact that these questions even make sense is a testament to the impact of Harry Potter has had.

But what makes Harry Potter so great? It stands out among fantasy for a number of reasons. The magic of Harry Potter extends beyond the pages into a vast and vibrant community which continues to flourish: think of the theme parks, merchandise, fan-fiction sites, screenplay sequel, and soon-to-be dozen feature films – and this is almost a decade and a half after the publication of the last book in 2007.

Harry Potter is very relatable and accessible to readers of virtually all ages, from grade school to adult. Everyone who has read the series was convinced that they could be a witch or wizard themselves, with magic lying dormant in their veins: I know I was. And we’ve all met real-life versions of:

• Draco, the arrogant bully
• Hermione, the book-smart know-it-all
• Luna, the eccentric weirdo
• Lupin, the cool teacher and valuable mentor
• Fred and George, the set of joking pranksters
• Moaning Myrtle, the specter that haunts the local bathroom (…okay, maybe not that last one.)

It's a tall order for any series to reach the same caliber as Harry Potter. But I think it’s healthy to branch out a little bit and take a chance on some rising stars that haven’t hit the same heights as Harry Potter – at least not yet.

Below are some suggestions for Harry Potter read-alikes (librarian slang for books with similar elements). I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

The Iron Trial
1st book of 5 in the Magisterium series
by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare
(2014-2018)

12-year-old Callum Hunt's father attempts to keep him from the Magisterium, a school where young mages are trained. Despite his best attempts to fail the entrance exam, Cal's inherent magical ability gets him accepted, and he begins the first of five years of his training.

Whereas Harry Potter goes to school in the UK, Cal lives and studies in the US. But both series include a trio of students who learn to develop their magical talents and face dangers from all sides. I found Magisterium to be faster paced and more modern than Harry Potter. It hits the spot for a coming-of-age story with fantasy elements and unexpected twists. 

Sandry's Book
1st book of 4 in the Circle of Magic series
by Tamora Pierce
(1997-1999)

During a medieval and Renaissance era in a fictional land, four young misfits enter a strict temple community and become magicians-in-training, each in a different form of magic. Together, the newfound friends learn to harness their hitherto unexplored inherent magical abilities.

Circle of Magic delves deeper into interactions and combinations of different forms of magic than we ever saw in Harry Potter. The books are also considerably shorter than Harry Potter, which makes for easier reading. But if the story ends too quickly for your liking, fret not; Circle of Magic is followed by a sequel quartet, The Circle Opens (with the original cast as fully qualified teen mages) as well as a stand-alone novel The Will of the Empress (which takes place several years after that).

Midnight for Charlie Bone
1st book of 8 in the Children of the Red King series
by Jenny Nimmo
(2003-2010)

Charlie Bone is an ordinary boy who lives with his widowed mother and two grandmothers. But when Charlie realizes he can hear people in photographs talking, he is swept into an ages-old magical battle against the descendants of the ancient and powerful Red King.

It’s easy to see why Children of the Red King made it onto this list. It features a school for young magicians in the UK (Bloor’s Academy for Gifted Children), which reminds us a great deal of Hogwarts. And despite significant plot differences, these two fast-paced stories both center on a magical war between good and evil. Especially recommended for younger Potterheads.

The Black Witch
1st book of 3 (published so far, 5 total planned) in the Black Witch chronicles
by Laurie Forest
(2017-?)

Despite the fact that she looks exactly like her late grandmother who saved her people during the Realm War, Elloren Gardener has absolutely no magical abilities. When she joins her brothers at the prestigious Verpax University, she learns to embrace her destiny and step beyond the shadow of her grandmother's legacy. However, her blood relationships can prove dangerous, and Elloren must decide who to trust and what is true.

This richly crafted world of magic and creatures powerfully portrays the concept of privilege and prejudice. Forest engages critically with complex issues like racism, fascism, and xenophobia -- without hitting you over the head with it. The brisk pace of this novel makes the pages fly by, and you'll wish you had the sequel as soon as you finish the first. The subject matter and a some of the content might make this a better choice for a slightly older audience.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
1st book of 7
by J.K. Rowling
(1997-2007)

Oscar Wilde said it best: “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”

*A version of this blogpost first appeared on Provo City Library blog.*