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Daggers of Ire
The Daggers of Ire
“A perfect blend of magic, humor, adventure, and heart!" —Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
A rich and exciting new Latine middle grade fantasy about sisterhood, magic, and the power of kids to face what grown-ups refuse to see—by J. C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of the Storm Runner series
Esmerelda Santos is a rare bruja, born with Chaos magic in her veins. She and her family are direct descendants of one of the four original witches—a mysterious legend about the night magic was born in San Bosco. But since the death of her mother, Esme is more concerned about healing their father’s spiraling grief.
When Esme finds a heart spell in a forbidden grimorio, she thinks it could be the answer to making her dad whole again. But before she can try, she and her best friend, Tiago, discover that their families and all the town’s witches have vanished—along with their magic, which keeps San Bosco alive. The only way to save them and the town is to find an original witch—impossible, since no one has actually ever seen one.
With a witch hunter on their tail, Esme and Tiago journey to a banished realm where forbidden magic runs wild. Here the two must embrace their powers and confront the legend’s terrible truths . . . or risk losing their families and their magic forever.
Perfect for fans of Witchlings and Amari and the Night Brothers!
A rich and exciting new Latine middle grade fantasy about sisterhood, magic, and the power of kids to face what grown-ups refuse to see—by J. C. Cervantes, New York Times bestselling author of the Storm Runner series
Esmerelda Santos is a rare bruja, born with Chaos magic in her veins. She and her family are direct descendants of one of the four original witches—a mysterious legend about the night magic was born in San Bosco. But since the death of her mother, Esme is more concerned about healing their father’s spiraling grief.
When Esme finds a heart spell in a forbidden grimorio, she thinks it could be the answer to making her dad whole again. But before she can try, she and her best friend, Tiago, discover that their families and all the town’s witches have vanished—along with their magic, which keeps San Bosco alive. The only way to save them and the town is to find an original witch—impossible, since no one has actually ever seen one.
With a witch hunter on their tail, Esme and Tiago journey to a banished realm where forbidden magic runs wild. Here the two must embrace their powers and confront the legend’s terrible truths . . . or risk losing their families and their magic forever.
Perfect for fans of Witchlings and Amari and the Night Brothers!
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2024
15 people are currently reading
4139 people want to read
About the author
J.C. Cervantes
20 books850 followersJ.C. is a New York Times best-selling author. Her books have been published in more than twelve countries and have appeared on national lists, including the American Booksellers Association New Voices, Barnes and Noble’s Best Young Reader Books, and Amazon’s Best Books of the Month. She has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award and the Zia Book Award.
She currently resides in the Land of Enchantment with her family and spoiled pups, but keeps part of her heart in Southern California, where she was born and raised. When she isn’t writing, she is haunting bookstores and searching for magic in all corners of the world.
Author also writes under Jennifer Cervantes
She currently resides in the Land of Enchantment with her family and spoiled pups, but keeps part of her heart in Southern California, where she was born and raised. When she isn’t writing, she is haunting bookstores and searching for magic in all corners of the world.
Author also writes under Jennifer Cervantes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
dnf
July 23, 2025Made it 25% in and this just wasn’t working for me. It’s incredibly slow.
October 7, 2024
This was a wonderful middle grade fantasy book. I loved following Esme in this story as she attempts to save her family and her town with her friend Tiago. I loved this book’s unique magic system and was captivated by the story that the author told. This was a whimsical and adventurous read that magic loving middle graders are sure to love. I found this book very hard to put down and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Thank you to Lavender Public Relations for the gifted copy.
Thank you to Lavender Public Relations for the gifted copy.
September 9, 2024
A beautiful story that was beautifully written. Cervantes writes with such a lyrical flair I found myself rereading lines just to savor them like one would savor a fine dinner.
The gist of the plot is this: girl with forbidden magic must hide her true self. Dad is torn up and irrevocably changed after the death of his wife (the girl's mom). Girl tries to help but can't because she's not allowed to use her magic, it's illegal. Then CRASH BAM BOOM! all the magical people disappear, including the girl's Dad and beloved sister. It's up to the girl, her best friend, and a mysterious talking fox to travel into dark, forbidden realms to find the those who created the magic of their world to begin with a seemingly impossible feat. Oh! and there's someone hunting them. Oh! and they only have a few days to get this all done before her town, her people, and her family are gone forever.
I loved the exploration of sisterhood and sacrifice and the interplay of grief and the courage to move on. There's magic and darkness and story, all the things I loved. Spanish language and phrases are interwoven with English, which I loved and found easy to understand. It is very well paced with lots of action and cliffhangers to keep me turning the pages and reading late into the night. It is beautiful and yet there is such well done plot and action that kids will love it too.
The gist of the plot is this: girl with forbidden magic must hide her true self. Dad is torn up and irrevocably changed after the death of his wife (the girl's mom). Girl tries to help but can't because she's not allowed to use her magic, it's illegal. Then CRASH BAM BOOM! all the magical people disappear, including the girl's Dad and beloved sister. It's up to the girl, her best friend, and a mysterious talking fox to travel into dark, forbidden realms to find the those who created the magic of their world to begin with a seemingly impossible feat. Oh! and there's someone hunting them. Oh! and they only have a few days to get this all done before her town, her people, and her family are gone forever.
I loved the exploration of sisterhood and sacrifice and the interplay of grief and the courage to move on. There's magic and darkness and story, all the things I loved. Spanish language and phrases are interwoven with English, which I loved and found easy to understand. It is very well paced with lots of action and cliffhangers to keep me turning the pages and reading late into the night. It is beautiful and yet there is such well done plot and action that kids will love it too.
September 17, 2024
This is a fun magical YA adventure read. Enter a world of magic- hidden and open. Where even within magical families, secrets are hidden and certain powers feared.
The Daggers of Ire gave the original 4 witches their powers, thrn the four disappeared. However, their return can mean big trouble. Esme, a young witch with the feared and bound Chaos magic, finds herself in a position to save the day from dark magic taking their families and other witches to another realm. Along with her best friend, a witch who can change himself into a rat, Esme needs to bring back her family and all the witches before they are lost for good - without becoming a victim herself.
There is a lot that happens quickly and at once without a slow introduction into their magical world. You get plunged in, but it is an interesting fast- paced journey- I think young readers will be swept up with it.
The start is Esme worrying about her father's grief over losing her mother, and being less of a witch with her powers bound and not being a traditional accepted power. The journey towards embracing her powers and the family dynamics was excellent.
I'd love to thank JM Cervantes for sending me a free copy to review. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.
The Daggers of Ire gave the original 4 witches their powers, thrn the four disappeared. However, their return can mean big trouble. Esme, a young witch with the feared and bound Chaos magic, finds herself in a position to save the day from dark magic taking their families and other witches to another realm. Along with her best friend, a witch who can change himself into a rat, Esme needs to bring back her family and all the witches before they are lost for good - without becoming a victim herself.
There is a lot that happens quickly and at once without a slow introduction into their magical world. You get plunged in, but it is an interesting fast- paced journey- I think young readers will be swept up with it.
The start is Esme worrying about her father's grief over losing her mother, and being less of a witch with her powers bound and not being a traditional accepted power. The journey towards embracing her powers and the family dynamics was excellent.
I'd love to thank JM Cervantes for sending me a free copy to review. My review is unbiased and opinions my own.
August 12, 2024
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this middle grade novel, especially the characters and the magic world. I enjoyed getting to know the main character as well as her friends. The main character's background story was also interesting. I was also pretty taken by the plot and this quest. I just felt the pacing was a little off but it might just be me. I really liked the whole sister story and how it created magic. It was a one of a kind story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this world!
I enjoyed this middle grade novel, especially the characters and the magic world. I enjoyed getting to know the main character as well as her friends. The main character's background story was also interesting. I was also pretty taken by the plot and this quest. I just felt the pacing was a little off but it might just be me. I really liked the whole sister story and how it created magic. It was a one of a kind story and I'm looking forward to reading more from this world!
January 23, 2026
pure magic!
I absolutely loved this book. I read it alongside my 9 year old daughter who devoured it. How J.C. Cervantes was able to weave such intricacies into every page without it being overwhelming, leaving the reader wanting to dive deeper and deeper into the worlds and realms of the brujas is pure genius. Waiting very impatiently for the sequel and praying this turns into something on screen.
I absolutely loved this book. I read it alongside my 9 year old daughter who devoured it. How J.C. Cervantes was able to weave such intricacies into every page without it being overwhelming, leaving the reader wanting to dive deeper and deeper into the worlds and realms of the brujas is pure genius. Waiting very impatiently for the sequel and praying this turns into something on screen.
October 13, 2024
idk how to feel about this. i enjoyed the beginning and found it interesting, but as i got into the 100s pages, the story became pretty boring for me. it lost its momentum, and i just wasn’t as invested anymore.
December 3, 2024
Esmerelda Santos’s father is getting worse, his grief transforming him into someone unrecognizable. Even though she is a bruja, gifted with magic from the four original witches, Esme can barely find the right spell to reverse her father’s aching heart, figure out her rare and forbidden Chaos magic, or even talk to her mother beyond the veil. But soon these concerns are thrown out the window; one ominous night, every single witch of San Bosco disappears, along with the magic that keeps the city alive. Luckily, her best friend and air bruja Tiago evades this strange fate, and together, they must brave forbidden prison worlds, creepy forest fiends, and malevolent darkness to survive. A witch hunter is after the brujas, and only by uncovering the truth of the original four witches can Esme save her home from Oblivion.
Daggers of Ire is an adventurous race against the clock, full of wicked witches, tricky riddles, and a girl determined to save her home. The realms and world building is both enchanting and frightening, dreamlike and nightmarish, and is easily the best part of the book. The brujas must navigate through night markets of horrors, eerily silent forests, an angry sentient castle, winter wonderland paintings, and others taken from inventive imagination and Latine folklore. The trio of Esme, Tiago, and a mysterious fox named Fetch have a wonderful dynamic, each with their different magic talents and personalities, bouncing off each other to create a (mostly) functional and supportive team. Readers, hearts will pound as the characters race to unearth the secrets behind the brujas, their history, and the famous Daggers of Ire, all while facing deceptive foes, heartache, and great magic. A great read. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Daggers of Ire is an adventurous race against the clock, full of wicked witches, tricky riddles, and a girl determined to save her home. The realms and world building is both enchanting and frightening, dreamlike and nightmarish, and is easily the best part of the book. The brujas must navigate through night markets of horrors, eerily silent forests, an angry sentient castle, winter wonderland paintings, and others taken from inventive imagination and Latine folklore. The trio of Esme, Tiago, and a mysterious fox named Fetch have a wonderful dynamic, each with their different magic talents and personalities, bouncing off each other to create a (mostly) functional and supportive team. Readers, hearts will pound as the characters race to unearth the secrets behind the brujas, their history, and the famous Daggers of Ire, all while facing deceptive foes, heartache, and great magic. A great read. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
August 27, 2024
𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.
This is a story about how magic was born and witches were made. This brings us to the tale of the daggers of ire - of how four sisters absorbed powers from a god and were cursed with daggers on their chests. The sisters became the original witches - each held the power of water, air, earth, or fire.
Esmerelda Santos was born in a family of brujxes and gifted with Chaos magic - a magic that is considered illegal and so it must be kept hidden from everyone. One sinister night brought her and her friend, Tiago, to journey to a place where magic runs wild in search of an original witch to help them save their families from Oblivion. They were aided by a cursed fox named Fetch. Together, the trio's journey was nothing short of extraordinary and has kept me on the edge of my seat.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴.
Truly, not everything is what it seems. There are plenty of twists and surprises in the story. And the decisions our young protagonists made were guided by hope, courage, and love.
I was so moved and heartbroken at the same time innsome scenes. And I got so attached with Esme, Tiago, and Fetch. Especially Fetch! The sacrifices they made to push forward were admirable. This has made me root for them more.
Leave it to the author to make me feel so excited to look forward to the next books in the series because that Epilogue was aaaah!!!
This is definitely a 5⭐ read!!!
This is my first @authorjcervantes book and I was swept away with the story! Thank you @netgalley @harperkids for this ARC!
The Daggers of Ire is set to be released on September 3. Coming really soon!!!
This is a story about how magic was born and witches were made. This brings us to the tale of the daggers of ire - of how four sisters absorbed powers from a god and were cursed with daggers on their chests. The sisters became the original witches - each held the power of water, air, earth, or fire.
Esmerelda Santos was born in a family of brujxes and gifted with Chaos magic - a magic that is considered illegal and so it must be kept hidden from everyone. One sinister night brought her and her friend, Tiago, to journey to a place where magic runs wild in search of an original witch to help them save their families from Oblivion. They were aided by a cursed fox named Fetch. Together, the trio's journey was nothing short of extraordinary and has kept me on the edge of my seat.
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴.
Truly, not everything is what it seems. There are plenty of twists and surprises in the story. And the decisions our young protagonists made were guided by hope, courage, and love.
I was so moved and heartbroken at the same time innsome scenes. And I got so attached with Esme, Tiago, and Fetch. Especially Fetch! The sacrifices they made to push forward were admirable. This has made me root for them more.
Leave it to the author to make me feel so excited to look forward to the next books in the series because that Epilogue was aaaah!!!
This is definitely a 5⭐ read!!!
This is my first @authorjcervantes book and I was swept away with the story! Thank you @netgalley @harperkids for this ARC!
The Daggers of Ire is set to be released on September 3. Coming really soon!!!
January 19, 2026
I’ll admit it — I arrived at this book by way of its sequel. Book two caught my eye first, but before I could dive in, I knew I had to start at the beginning. And I’m so glad I did.
This first installment enchanted me.
The world is lush with myth and danger, and the magic system — chaotic, unpredictable, and deeply personal — feels like it could slip into your tea if you’re not careful. Cervantes builds a realm where power is messy, choices are costly, and every spell feels like a dare.
Esme, our protagonist, is lovable in a way that hurts.
She’s brave, yes — but also vulnerable, unsure, and carrying more than she should have to. My heart ached for her more than once. And while I rooted for her, it was Fetch who stole the spotlight. That voice, that energy, that chaotic charm — Fetch is the kind of character who lingers long after the chapter ends.
And then there’s the narration.
Almarie Guerra is a revelation.
She doesn’t just read this story — she inhabits it. Her voice gives life to Fetch, Esme, and Tiago in ways that feel textured and true. Somehow, she holds the mystery and the magic, the ache and the humor, all in one breath. It’s the kind of performance that makes you want to listen twice.
This book reminded me that beginnings matter.
That magic is often messy.
And that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that arrive when you weren’t expecting them.
This first installment enchanted me.
The world is lush with myth and danger, and the magic system — chaotic, unpredictable, and deeply personal — feels like it could slip into your tea if you’re not careful. Cervantes builds a realm where power is messy, choices are costly, and every spell feels like a dare.
Esme, our protagonist, is lovable in a way that hurts.
She’s brave, yes — but also vulnerable, unsure, and carrying more than she should have to. My heart ached for her more than once. And while I rooted for her, it was Fetch who stole the spotlight. That voice, that energy, that chaotic charm — Fetch is the kind of character who lingers long after the chapter ends.
And then there’s the narration.
Almarie Guerra is a revelation.
She doesn’t just read this story — she inhabits it. Her voice gives life to Fetch, Esme, and Tiago in ways that feel textured and true. Somehow, she holds the mystery and the magic, the ache and the humor, all in one breath. It’s the kind of performance that makes you want to listen twice.
This book reminded me that beginnings matter.
That magic is often messy.
And that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that arrive when you weren’t expecting them.
January 22, 2025
Esme is a chaos with - she has magic from all the elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Usually people only have magic from one of the elements. Her best friend Tiago, for example, has air magic. Esme's parents have hidden her chaos magic because it is so misunderstood by the rest of the world. However, Esme's mom has died, her dad is grieving, her sister is studying forbidden magic, and then to make matters worse a witch hunter comes to town and steals all the witches - including her dad and sister. Esme and Tiago have less than a week to find an original witch and save their town and families.
Love the world this is set in, although it takes a little while to get the complete picture. My favorite character is Fetch, the fox. This is a tale of family, magic, and friendship. Give it to your readers of Amari and the Night Brothers and The Lightcasters.
CW: grieving/loss of a family member
Love the world this is set in, although it takes a little while to get the complete picture. My favorite character is Fetch, the fox. This is a tale of family, magic, and friendship. Give it to your readers of Amari and the Night Brothers and The Lightcasters.
CW: grieving/loss of a family member
December 18, 2024
This was a fun read with creative world building and an entertaining plot. The characters were easy to root for and I loved the MC’s focus on family. There were some repetition issues and while I loved the idea of chaos magic, it was used as a convenient plot device at times, moving the story along only bc her chaos made her do or say something. The pacing was steady with a bit of a lag in the middle before ramping up to an action packed ending. The plot wraps up nicely while still leaving a path forward for a sequel, which I’d definitely be interested in reading! It’s a cute story that will work for readers of all ages.
January 27, 2025
I did enjoy parts of this book, but overall it felt like a let-down. I appreciate that the setting, characters, and mythology are rooted in Latinx culture, and also that Cervantes' writing is lyrical and rather beautiful at times. However, the story soon became convoluted, and it felt repetitive and overly "explain-y" (sorry, I'm not caffeinated and can't find words). By about halfway through, I was ready for it to be over with, but I was invested JUST enough that I had to see it through. Overall not terrible, but not great. Not sure how kiddos would feel about it, or that I'd necessarily recommend it to many of my library patrons.
March 4, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This was a Latino-based whimsical fantasy-adventure with plenty of twists and turns through the journey. The love between sisters played a prominent role in the story, as did grief. Fetch the fox was my favorite character, though, and I'd love to have a spin-off story about his journey to reunite with his sister and break his curse.
The reason I only gave this 3.5 stars was because while I thoroughly enjoyed the story while I was reading it, for some reason I wasn't pulled towards picking the book back up after setting it aside. Nonetheless, this was a delightful story and I will recommend it to our middle school readers.
The reason I only gave this 3.5 stars was because while I thoroughly enjoyed the story while I was reading it, for some reason I wasn't pulled towards picking the book back up after setting it aside. Nonetheless, this was a delightful story and I will recommend it to our middle school readers.
May 14, 2025
The cover has a lot going on, just like the story did. Set in a world with magic, Esme and her family are witches. When everyone gets kidnapped in her town, she and her best friend must go on a journey to save everyone. Along the way she learns some truths about herself and the past. I enjoyed the Latine world of magic but some parts were a little confusing. A lot of explaining took away from the story. The countdown of time so often was also a little annoying but helped you feel the pressure as the reader. I hope some of my fantasy loving kids will give this book a shot. No swears, no romance, some violence and threats of death. 5th grade and up.
September 5, 2024
"De la muerte y la suerte no hay nadie quien se escape."
An adventurous story about a strong willed 12 year girl named Esme Santos whose determined to help her grief stricken father after the death of her mother. Did I mention that she is a bruja? A descendant of one of the four original witches who vanished years ago? Determined to help her father Esme goes on an adventure to help not only those she loves but everyone in the town of San Bosco.
Thank you NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC.
An adventurous story about a strong willed 12 year girl named Esme Santos whose determined to help her grief stricken father after the death of her mother. Did I mention that she is a bruja? A descendant of one of the four original witches who vanished years ago? Determined to help her father Esme goes on an adventure to help not only those she loves but everyone in the town of San Bosco.
Thank you NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC.
April 26, 2025
The Daggers of Ire is a heartfelt middle-grade novel about a girl caught between her ancestor's past and coming into her powers in the present. I got the throughline in this novel and I liked the story, but at times it felt like I was missing some important world-building or lore. The characters are charming and this novel is an adventure, but overall I didn't love it. Obviously I'm not the intended audience as an adult, and I can totally see my younger self tearing through this!
3.5
3.5
November 26, 2024
A fun read! This was my first J.C. Cervantes book and I could absolutely see myself picking up another. The characters made for a fun journey and I was enraptured by the ever-expanding lore.
My only complaint would be that certain moments between scenes or within action felt rushed, however, I do understand this is the nature of most middle-grade literature.
My only complaint would be that certain moments between scenes or within action felt rushed, however, I do understand this is the nature of most middle-grade literature.
June 27, 2025
👧🏻 review: I read JC Cervantes’ book years ago and I enjoyed it. This middle-grade fantasy book about being a bruja (witch) and the adventures Esme and Tiago had to endure to help her dad. The fantasy, magical realism and witches made this book a fast and easy read. I recommend this one to all of you.
October 27, 2024
3.5
I would have like this much more if I hadn't switched to the audiobook partway through. I just was not paying it the attention it deserved. But I'm pretty sure it's a series, so I'll reread it physically before the next one comes out.
I would have like this much more if I hadn't switched to the audiobook partway through. I just was not paying it the attention it deserved. But I'm pretty sure it's a series, so I'll reread it physically before the next one comes out.
May 31, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Perfect for aspiring brujas who enjoyed Rivera's Cece Rios or Meriano's Love. Sugar. Magic, or this author's Flirting with Fate.
Perfect for aspiring brujas who enjoyed Rivera's Cece Rios or Meriano's Love. Sugar. Magic, or this author's Flirting with Fate.
September 17, 2024
Need something to read for Hispanic Heritage Month? (Or anytime?)
This super cute, upper-middle grade novel was just published and has criminally few reviews for how good it was!!
This super cute, upper-middle grade novel was just published and has criminally few reviews for how good it was!!
October 21, 2024
4 stars
October 23, 2024
Fabulous story.
October 25, 2024
Alot of fantasy. Good story.
December 7, 2024
[audiobook]
December 16, 2024
This was fun.
December 26, 2024
Loved this one. I enjoyed the myth of the magic and history blended together. I hope there is another one set in this world just to see how some side stories end.
December 29, 2024
This is a decent middle-grade fantasy with themes of grief, family, and friendship and Latine characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews