(3) 4-6 Princess Jeniah wants to heal her ill mother and believes the magic within Dreadwillow Carse can do that, but her visiting the bog is prophesied to end the monarchy. Jeniah enlists a peasant girl, Aon, to go in her stead, only to eventually follow after Aon in search of the Carse's darkest secrets. A quick-paced fairy tale centered on friendship, loyalty, and adventure.

Reviewer: Jenn Matters

(3) 4-6 Vengekeep Prophecies series. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. When mage sentinels carry off Jaxter Grimjinx's little sister Aubrin to be their new augur, the family's quest to get her back leads to the opening elements of a prophecy in which Jaxter will save the Five Provinces from a deadly scourge but die doing so. The twisted but coherent puzzle plot unfolds swiftly, speeded along by irreverent Grimjinx humor.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Vengekeep Prophecies series. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. When the Shadowhands--elite thieves--go missing, failed thief but not-bad plant-specialist Jaxter (The Vengekeep Prophecies) and his childhood rival Maloch set out to uncover the thieves' target (magic relics from the royal vaults) and run up against the anti-magic tribe, the Sarosans. A wryly humorous voice and some gratifyingly unexpected plot reversals mark this worthy sequel.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 The least talented thief in his entire clan, Jaxter Grimjinx's skill creating nonmagical antidotes to magic spells leads him on a quest for a remedy when a prophetic tapestry shows a bleak future for the town of Vengekeep--and predicts that its survival relies on the formerly despised Grimjinx clan. Witty dialogue, unlikely heroics, and novel adversities buoy this inventive adventure.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam