4.5 stars
Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is a Conjuror, the first at the Arcanum Training Institute - a magic school in the sky for Marvellers. Despite many Marvellers not trusting her or her magic, Ella is optimistic that they'll soon change their minds. But Conjurers are blamed when a famous criminal escapes prison, and Ella becomes a target at the school. She and her fellow misfit friends work together to clear her name and unravel the many secrets in the Marvellian world.
Where do I begin? The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is the kind of middle grade story I wish I'd had growing up - one where a person of color is the main character and one that has a diverse cast. To be perfectly honest, reading this kind of hurt - at various points through the story I felt a sadness and/or frustration that I think too many people of color understand. (To be clear, I'm not saying this to discourage anyone from reading the book! The story itself isn't sad or hurtful, and I think readers will enjoy and appreciate it)
The story is full of secrets and mysteries. The characters are likeable and have vibrant personalities. I loved the worldbuilding - I don't want to give too much away, but I loved the way the author incorporated the histories and cultures we know to create something new
Thank you to Bookish First for the copy of this book!
(I apologize for this review being so late; school and life left me with no time or energy to read)
Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is a Conjuror, the first at the Arcanum Training Institute - a magic school in the sky for Marvellers. Despite many Marvellers not trusting her or her magic, Ella is optimistic that they'll soon change their minds. But Conjurers are blamed when a famous criminal escapes prison, and Ella becomes a target at the school. She and her fellow misfit friends work together to clear her name and unravel the many secrets in the Marvellian world.
Where do I begin? The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton is the kind of middle grade story I wish I'd had growing up - one where a person of color is the main character and one that has a diverse cast. To be perfectly honest, reading this kind of hurt - at various points through the story I felt a sadness and/or frustration that I think too many people of color understand. (To be clear, I'm not saying this to discourage anyone from reading the book! The story itself isn't sad or hurtful, and I think readers will enjoy and appreciate it)
The story is full of secrets and mysteries. The characters are likeable and have vibrant personalities. I loved the worldbuilding - I don't want to give too much away, but I loved the way the author incorporated the histories and cultures we know to create something new
Thank you to Bookish First for the copy of this book!
(I apologize for this review being so late; school and life left me with no time or energy to read)