Williams, Alby C. Where There Be Monsters
May 6, 2025 by Roaring Brook Press
E ARC provided by Netgalley
In 3166, Glory Brown lives in the Outerverse with her parents, who run the Light Inn. Her mother is very busy, printing leaflets and advising people on magic. The family, including the grandfather, lives near the Seam, which is a halfway space between the human world and the feral monsters that live in the Blight. There are some creatures, like Penrose, a talking mongoose who works as a bellhop at the inn, who are not a threat. Glory would like to attend the magical school for Spherinauts that her mother attended, so that she can learn to use her Moxie, or magical powers, but she is needed at home. When she meets a boy, Marcus, who is lost near her house, she gets pulled into his attempts to deliver a package. When she touches a pendant he has left in the room, she has to help him, because the object is cursed. Leaving a note for her parents (her mother is traveling, so can’t help with the magic), she takes off on a journey to return to the Sanctum Marmoris, where the school is based. Things are unstable all across the Outverse, with monsters coming across the seam, so using the gateways to travel is sometimes problematic. Once the two reach the school, they consult a Senior, Janessa, and try to figure out what is going on with Marcus’ curse. This, of course, uncovers a lot of other problems. While trying to solve these, Glory learns more about her mother and magic, and is looking forward to finally being able to study at the school.
Strengths: Magical academy books are always a good bet with middle grade readers, and there is very intricate world building to set up Glory’s Outerverse. There is a threat to the world which hits fairly close to home for Glory, so she is a good person to try to solve it. There are some evil adults, but supportive ones as well. Marcus is a good sidekick. There were just a couple of illustrations in the E ARC, but they were very charming, and I’m curious to see if there are more of them in the finished copy. The school has different types of magical training, all related to nature and science, and Glory is curious about this training, since her mother is a Magpie. I’m assuming that the sequel will have more explanations of where Glory fits in to the school and about her training there.
Weaknesses: For a book set in space in the future, this had a lot of elements that felt more like the late 1800s. While I love a good skirt, it seemed odd that Glory wore dresses and packed bloomers for traveling. I had to look up what an orrery was (Glory carries a pocket-orrery, which is a mouthful), and I can’t find a good explanation for what “mazy headed” is, but maybe I missed the explanations.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed the magical worlds in Bell’s Uncommoners, Durst’s Even and Odd or Dumas’ Wildseed Witch.
Kim, Graci. Dreamslinger
April 29, 2025 by Disney Hyperion
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Aria Loveridge lives in the Rest Haven Home for Dreamslingers because she has the genetic mutation that causes her to go into another world when she dreams. This world is dangerous and unpredictable, and it is thanks to her father than Dreamslingers are cared for at the home. They consult with doctors in the morning and have ways to remove the poisons acquired from their nighttime wanderings. Since Aria’s mother was killed by people who shared this mutation, it’s a lot for a teen to handle. Aria tries to help her father out with the home, but recently there have been a lot of anti-slinger protests in Texas, where they live. These close ties to different facets of the Dreamslinger world put Aria in a great place to find out secrets about her condition, but working through them is very dangerous. While her adventures finally lead to her finding a place where she is confortable, there are some unanswered questions that could be answered in a second book.
From the Publisher:
Fourteen-year-old Aria Loveridge lives at the Resthaven Home for Dreamslingers, a safe haven for children born with a genetic mutation that transports them to a powerfully magical realm while they sleep. But this magic can be unpredictable—even deadly. After all, it was only ten years ago when members of the Royal League of Dreamslingers caused the Great Outburst—a tragedy that killed hundreds of people, including Aria’s mom.
Since then, Aria’s dad has become leading expert on Dreamslinger Welfare, which means Aria knows better than most what it takes to keep society safe from her, and others like separation, identification, and most importantly, power suppression.
So when the Kingdom of Royal Hanguk—home of the Dreamslinger League—announces the first Dreamslinger trials where teenage slingers from around the world are invited to compete for a chance to join the League and learn how to use their powers, Aria knows what she must join the trials and take down the League from the inside.
But the Trials introduce Aria to a world of wonderous magic and friendship, a world where she finally feels like she belongs. And as dark secrets from the past are revealed—ones that make Aria question her very identity—she becomes even more determined to discover the truth for herself. She just has to survive the trials first.
