(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Ben Hibon. It's not easy for a thirteen-year-old necromancer-queen to rule a shadow kingdom--especially when using magic is taboo for women, dead citizens are coming back as zombies, and the living are mysteriously disappearing--but feisty Lily does her best with the help of peasant friend Thorn. Gothic set pieces, humorous banter, action, and nasty villains keep the pace quick and the pages turning.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Ben Hibon. Thorn, a peasant, an archer, and an outlaw far from home, becomes an executioner's apprentice and a friend to thirteen-year-old Lady Lilith Shadow, a would-be sorceress trying to save her homeland after her family is assassinated. Character development takes a back seat to action, but this dark fantasy cauldron brims with spooky castles, ancient relics, fantastic beasts, necromancy, and an extra helping of murder.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian