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Autumn's twin brother Winter has been missing, presumed dead, for several months, but Autumn can feel he's alive. The Hollow Dragon in the Gentlewood may have eaten him, but if so, why was one of his boots found in Inglenook, the magicians' school where Autumn and her family work as beastkeepers? Then one day Autumn sees Winter trapped in a pane of glass; she vows not to rest until she's rescued him. Her ally in this endeavor is Cai Morrigan, Inglenook's star pupil, who has approached Autumn for help with his own problem. He's been prophesied to slay the Hollow Dragon before the first snow of his thirteenth year, but he's twelve now and still faints whenever he gets near a dragon. As a lowly servant, Autumn initially feels unworthy of the famous (though endearingly modest and helpful) Cai, but their friendship blossoms as they each discover previously unknown facets of their own identities, search for Winter together, and practice exposing Cai to dragons. With delicious personal interactions, an adventure that gets deeper as the tale progresses, and a setting that Hogwarts fans might like to climb into, this familiar-yet-original fantasy hits all its marks.
Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2022