Book Review: The Marvellers

Posted July 21, 2022 by geograph in fantasy, middle grade, review / 0 Comments

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review: The MarvellersThe Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Series: Marvellerverse #1
Published by Henry Holt and Company (BYR) on May 3, 2022
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic, Juvenile Fiction / School & Education, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / New Experience
Pages: 416
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Netgalley

New York Times-bestselling author Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Soman Chainani, and Philip Pullman.

The Marvellers deserves the highest compliment I can give a book: I want to live in this world. --Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling-author

A marvelous gift of a novel! With fantastical twists at every turn, Clayton has created a world that readers won't want to leave." --Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Hate U Give and Concrete Rose

"The Marvellers is a rich, enchanted melting pot of magic, thrills, and color . . . filled with heart, wit, and humor. A tantalizing introduction to an exhilarating fantasy universe." --Soman Chainani, New York Times-bestselling author of The School for Good and Evil series

Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies.

Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy--some Marvellers mistrust her magic, which they deem "bad and unnatural." But eventually, she finds friends in elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures.

When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror's aid, tensions grow in the Marvellian world and Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family's name and track down her mentor before it's too late.

This is a PERFECT readalike for kids who want more of The Book Series that Shall Not be Named but are starting to develop a better taste. 😛 It’s a magic school boarding book that features Marvellers from around the world and the main character is a misfit even in her own world. Some interesting divergences from The Series that Shall Not Be Named include not being sorted into houses until the end of your first year, multiculturalism, and adults who are smart and who care about kids! Also, taking a page from dark academia, there are secrets everywhere about everything. I’m really excited to see where this middle-grade series goes – it’s absolutely going to become a staple in every library. Five stars. Booksweet link.

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