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The Conjureverse #2

by Dhonielle Clayton, Piotr W. Cholewa (Translator)

Drugi rok nauki w Instytucie Edukacyjnym Przedsięwzięć Cudownych i Niezwykłych czas zacząć!

Ella, Jason i Brigit powracają na kolejny rok nauki do szkoły magii. Nie wszyscy są jednak szczęśliwi z powrotu Elli, która jako pierwsza zaklinaczka została dopuszczona do nauki w instytucie. Kiedy choroba zaczyna wpływać na cuda uczniów, dziewczynka ponownie znajduje się w centrum uwagi.

Gdy napięcie między cudmistrzami a zaklinaczami osiąga apogeum, Ella i jej przyjaciele postanawiają odkryć tajemnice przeszłości instytutu. Najważniejsze wydaje się ustalenie, dlaczego prawda o tym, że założycielem szkoły był zaklinacz, jest ukrywana.

Aby odkryć najbardziej skrywane tajemnice, będą musieli wyśledzić skradzione wspomnienia…

The Marvellers to seria dla wszystkich młodych miłośników fantastyki w najlepszym wydaniu. Do tej pory Arcanum – Instytut Edukacyjny Przedsięwzięć Cudownych i Niezwykłych był zarezerwowany jedynie dla cudmistrzów. Kiedy więc jedenastoletnia zaklinaczka Ella Durand, córka Wielkiego Przewodnika po Zaświatach, zostaje uczennicą tejże szkoły, zmienia się niemal wszystko.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Fiction, Magic, Adventure, Childrens

432 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2023

About the author

Dhonielle Clayton is a New York Times bestselling author of The Marvellers series, The Belles series, Shattered Midnight, co-author of Blackout, Whiteout, The Rumor Game, and of the Tiny Pretty Things duology, a Netflix original series. She hails from the Washington, D.C. suburbs on the Maryland side. She taught secondary school for several years, and is a former elementary and middle school librarian. She is COO of the non-profit We Need Diverse Books. She is the President and founder of Cake Creative and Electric Postcard Entertainment, IP story companies creating diverse books for all ages. She’s an avid traveller, and always on the hunt for magic and mischief. Find her on Instagram: @brownbookworm.

Reviews

[give me books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5
Ta książka to czysta przyjemność

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleased to confirm there's no second book syndrome in sight in this installment. I often hesitate to continue series, because the sequels often don't live up to the first book for me, but that's definitely not the case here. It had been a while since I read book 1, but I quickly became immersed in this world again, and it was just as whimsical as book 1. I know we're at least getting a third and fourth installment, so I'm going to keep an eye out for those!

[Phøenix13 (Inactive) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic sequel! In fact I liked it better than book 1 mostly because I LOVE political drama and magical illnesses.
(This actually felt super similar to the second book in the series I'm writing but that's a total coincidence I swear)
I think the only way this series could improve is if it got rid of the villain's perspective. Yes, it's interesting, but it revealed too much before the main characters knew it, making the plot twists not very twisty.
The worldbuilding and characters in this series are amazing. If you love middle grade fantasy and haven't given this series a go definitely check it out! It's easily one of my favourites. It's also incredibly diverse. I'm obsessed.

Easy 5 stars.

[Betweenpaperbackworlds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parallels between Black America and this book are CRAZY. This is not just a book for middle grades to read this series is for everyone!!

[Grey99 · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMFG I'VE WAITED SO LONG FOR THE SEQUEL AND IT'S COMING IN A FEW MONTHS.

So excited to get back into the Marvellian world. I'll get my money, BRB.

Diving back into the Conjureverse is one I've been looking forward to all year. This book was my most anticipated read and it did not disappoint.

Way better than the first book, with interesting character dynamics and a world that keeps on expanding.

The mystery aspect wasn't left out as well, as you start to notice similarities between Brigit and the father-son duo that come in and out of the arcanum, one is a student there.

Only thing I'd complain about is not enough brigit, but I did find it cute how Ella looked for Jason every time he wasn't around and constantly wished he was there, especially considering how she wasn't so eager to get to know him in the first book. The trio's relationship has blossomed into something beautiful but also true with topics of secrets and insecurities.

This book is a must read for all looking to have a fun time, escape but also learn about real life important topics.

5 stars. Can't wait for the next book and the mystery that Dhonielle has already set up to unravel.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely adored the first book of this series and had high hopes for book 2!! I did enjoy this book, but not as much as the first. A lot of scenes and plot lines felt quite rushed, some of the dialogue and character decisions felt unrealistic, and I wish we’d slowed down a bit to develop and explore the magic in more depth. The pacing issues made a lot of the magic and world-building feel surface level, which was upsetting because this really is a marvelous fantasy world!

[FräuleinHallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zwar nicht ganz so toll wie der erste Band, da ich die Welt aber so wunderbar finde trotzdem 5 Sterne! So eine diverse, phantastische Welt in der Menschen verschiedener Religionen, Regenbogenfamilien und nicht-binäre Personen einfach ohne das Gefühl von weirden "Quotencharakteren" ihren Platz haben - großartig!

[Brandi Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second installment in the Conjureverse series, which is a middle grade, magic school series very a la the Wizarding World, but inclusive. In this book, our trio of curious kids run into a different battle with the evil Ace of Anarchy, all while facing a mysterious illness at their magical school.

This was a hard rating for me, because there were some polarizing feelings during my reading.

Pros:
- Love most of the characters, you really build an attachment to them. Plus, you can really feel their connections with one another, as well.
- Love the diversity and the descriptions of everything within the world.
- Strong emotional finish at the end.

Con(s):
- Too long, it had too many needless details, especially ones that just say 'I am heavily trying to be a new version of HP. Like, it's just too much. You don't need it. I think the author is very creative on her own, without having to push so much similarity to HP. Some of those details could have been eliminated without affecting the story.
- The whole pandemic thing, clear references to the pandemic. I get that was part of our life, but I don't feel that such obvious parallels to Covid were needed in the story. There are already SO MANY DETAILS in this book, that it just bogged it down.

I think the author is a brilliantly creative person, and these books are very endearing, but it just got a little tedious at times with what I feel are unneeded details. A little streamlining could have made this a four, or even a five, star book.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reread this because I mistakenly thought the 4th book in the series was out soon. It’s not out until October so I stopped my reread of this series after this book. I’ll pick it back up in the fall closer to the release of book 4.

I love this series so much. It picks right up where the first novel left off. I wish HBO were developing this rather than rebooting HP. This story is so much better and I’d love to see it on film.

Original 2025 Review:

4.5 Stars

This was a worthy sequel. No drag or letdown in tension or storyline. This sequel introduced Indigenous Peoples of the Americas with characters plus their mythological stories. It's beautifully inclusive without loss to the story or feeling preachy.

At the same time, this explores the history of the ties between the Marvellers and the Conjurors. In many ways it mirrors aspects of our society and how we react as a society to newcomers. This book offers answers as well as deepens the mystery of the Marvellers history and treatment of Conjuror's.

There are scenes set at Conjure school, we get to see more of where and how the Conjuror's live, there's tons of action, multiple reveals and the villain is a POV character which is a nice touch. I really like the magic system in this novel and the world building is top notch.

[Amelie B · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was slightly disappointing. I mean, I love the plot but the characters lacked there usual brilliance. Brigit was so much more weak, and was just annoying. This was disappointing, and my hopes had been high dropped down significantly after the first few chapters.

[Tamara Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Memory Thieves” is a teen novel and the second book in the Conjureverse series by author Dhonielle Clayton focusing on friends Ella Durand, Brigit Ebsen, and Jason Eugene as they return for a second year of study at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors and face old and new nemeses.

The novel consists of thirty-five chapters divided into four parts.

The novel begins with a table of the five paragons or marvels a student can have followed by a letter welcoming students back for a second year of study at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors, and main character Ella Durand’s level two training timetable for her second year at the institute.

Part one, “New Horizons,” begins with Ella Durand and her family heading to Celestial City to buy school supplies while bypassing Marvellian and Conjuror onlookers. People are nosy and this is the second time Ella has become a celebrity due to being the first Conjuror to enroll and attend the Arcanum (read Marvellers book 1) then by saving the world from a power hungry villain named Gia Trivelino three months ago. When boarding the Sky Ferry, Ella’s family experiences discrimination due to being Conjurors. Ella is frustrated by mistreatment by others but is soon comforted by reuniting with her friends Jason and Brigit.

Meanwhile, villain Gia Trivelino is on the run and is sad that her daughter Brigit has rejected her. Gia’s marvel of being able to manipulate strings of matter labeled her as monstrous and she aims to pay back Ella, Brigit, and Jason for destroying her plan to take other people’s marvels.

Upon arriving at the institute, Ella is excited to learn that three more Conjure students from Columbia, Brazil, and New York have enrolled at the institute. In addition to new Conjure students, the institute is hosting a biennial cultural exchange program with five indigenous students from the Navajo Nation. Brigit worries that students will find out the Gia is Brigit’s mother or Gia will try to come and get her. Despite Ella and Jason promising to protect Brigit, Ella receives a threatening letter from Gia but doesn’t share the letter to not alarm Brigit.

There’s a worry from the Conjuror community that by Ella attending the institute and her godmother Sera teaching at the institute, Marvellers will soon be take conjuror marvels as their own and travel to the Conjure underworld. Ella worries about her friendship with Brigit when she starts hanging out with other people and staying out past curfew.

Ella’s mood is lifted when she receives a note inviting her to join a secret underground stapier league to prepare for the spring Paragon tryouts and discovers a shared secret with a Part one ends with Gia reuniting her former group of troublemakers called “The Aces” including current teachers at the institute as well as running for class office.

Part two, “Conjure Conundrums,” begins with Ella hearing gossip about students getting nosebleeds and losing their marvels. Student blame a change in food or change of weather for the unusual situation with students. Ella finds a protector from an unexpected source but is soon confronted by a student about being noisy. Ella fights the urge to tell her Aunt Sera about being bullied by new student Noemie but decides against it, lest she drawn more attention since she was the first conjuror at the institute.

Aunt Sera and Ella meet together to teach Ella about her cartomanic marvel which will help her glimpse the past and their future but as a conjuror, she’ll also be able to change their fortunes at times. This part of the novel was interesting in how Aunt Sera provides details on lociambulism also known as mind walking and tells Ella about the difference between mind waking the living and the dead. Although Ella is reluctant to learn about lociambulism, Aunt Sera tells her that since she is from two of the most powerful conjure bloodlines, it’s time to learn an essential conjure tool.

The trio are discovered with institute blueprints by a group of historians and institute instructors but are saved by a sympathetic employee. Due to the continued outbreak of headaches, nosebleeds and loss of marvels, the institute closes ending the fall term early. Forced to return home, Ella reconnects with her best friend Reagan to learn about an ancestor and his far reaching impacts in the Marvellian world. Part two ends on the first day of February with Ella trying to bridge the gap between the Conjuror world and the Marvellian world leading to the whole family being under investigation for breaking a Conjure Commandment and if found guilty, punishment being removed from New Orleans and the entire Conjure community.

Part three, “Hard Truths,” begins with Gia locating Brigit in New York through using one of her trusted Aces to lift a conjure veil, revealing a cloaked house and gaining access to Brigit for devious reasons. Meanwhile in New Orleans, Ella and her family celebrate Mardi Gras under the dark clouds of her family meeting the United Conjure Congress, the institute being closed, and having her starpost mail to her mentor intercepted and destroyed. Ella gets a pleasant surprise from Jason who shows a kindred-walking marvel stemming from him being a conjuror and marveller.

Ella is excited to learn that the institute is reopening and the sick students have recovered. Upon returning back to the institute, students are seen wearing masks and protective face shields (similar to COVID precautions.) Signs are posted everywhere regarding safety and wearing gloves. Sad to learn that institute is trying to blame mystery sickness on the Conjuror and Navajo students.

Shortly after returning to the institute, Ella’s head is full of unanswered questions as student headaches and nosebleeds restart. Starpost communications are shared between Gia and Noemie’s mother. After Ella finally shares the notes from Gia with Jason and Brigit, the trio engage is a spying mission and make a shocking discovery. Part three ends with the Ella, Brigit, and Jason attempting to mind walk Noemie with disastrous consequences.

Part four, “Marvellian Lies,” begins with Gia receiving a visit from a former Ace now adversary Mitha Thakur. It is revealed that Gia helped removed the criminal backgrounds of him and another Ace to have new lives. Jason is seriously injured after they return from mind-walking in Noemie’s mind and he is eventually sent home. Ella and Brigit ambush Noemie and feel sympathy once they learn Gia threatened to hurt Noemie’s parents unless she did what Gia said and stole certain student’s memories. Gia’s grand plan is exposed to make the whole Marvellian work sick on election night through poison balloons. Shocking news is provided about the identity of Brigit’s father.

Ella and Brigit surprise Jason’s by traveling to his home in Celestial City to get help from him as well as his lightning bird Izulu. Gia has a reunion with her former top Ace Presidential candidate Johan Fenris Knudsen. Following thwarting Gia’s latest plan, Brigit publically learns who her father is while Ella has a reunion with her estranged Aunt Celeste before being rewarded with her great grandfather’s memory-cask. Ella and Brigit return to the Arcanum and she reveals seeing her Aunt Celeste to her mother and godmother. Working together as a family, Ella’s mother and godmother Sera enter the memory-cask of her ancestor/great-grandfather Dr. Jean Michel Durand, previously hidden architect of the Arcanum. It is revealed that Durand was a founder of the Arcanum and just when everyone was going to work together, they changed their minds and imprisoned him in the memory-cask. Ella and family vow to find out who imprisoned Durand as well as transport him to his rightful home in the Underworld.

Gia watches Knudsen is sworn in as President and makes a deal with Ella’s father to protect his family. Gia hatches another plan involving twilight stardust from the Conjuror underworld which keeps all Marvellian cities and the Arcanum in flight. Part four ends with Ella attending Marvel Combat team tryouts and becomes a member of the Paragon of Vision Marvel Combat Team before becoming a level three student.

As I finished the novel, I continue to be impressed by author Dhonielle Clayton’s ability to create a magical would that is inclusive multicultural. I appreciated the clearly defined parts of the books as well as additions of character’s personal effects such as personal letters to students, class timetables, report cards and other signage including wanted posters and letters to others. I was annoyed at times by Ella’s lack of focus, carelessness, and disregard for others at times. I liked the different cultures created such as the Fewels/Humans who live on the ground while the Conjurors are magical people who live in the sky above the Fewels and the Marvellers live in the sky above the Conjurors. By creating a novel series with such a diverse cast of characters, readers young and old can see themselves that in story and consider that magic lives inside us all and is not limited to a specific race or location in the world.

[Azim Kasmani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good addition to the first book, the themes of discrimination against certain communities are written very well and the main story and characters are entertaining as ever.

On the other hand, I was misinformed that this was a two book series and was left on a cliffhanger, which I am upset about.

Magic lightsabers

[evernell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm actually so sad I didn't love this book because I really liked the first one 😭. I think my main problem with this is that it felt too middle grade for me (and that's totally my fault because this is the audience the book is aimed at). It started out great but then it kept getting more boring, mainly because I felt like nothing was really happening and all the plot twists were very easy to guess (and the characters just took ages to realise stuff 😑). However, I still adore the worldbuilding and the way the book talks about inclusion and injustice, as well as my darling Gia. I just love her so much <3.

[Jay DeMoir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as great as the first but still pretty solid. Passing this along to my God daughter.

[Buchstabenschloss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella kommt für das zweite Lehrjahr ans Arkanum zurück. Genau wie im ersten Jahr, so hat sie auch in diesem Jahr wieder mit Vorurteilen zu kämpfen. Als dann auch noch eine Krankheit ausbricht und der Verdacht dafür auf ihre Gemeinschaft fällt, hat sie genug. Sie geht zusammen mit ihren Freunden Brigit und Jason auf die Suche nach Antworten. Dabei kommen sie einem Geheimnis auf die Schliche, welches alles verändern könnte.

Das Cover ist wieder wunderschön und passt hervorragend zu Band 1. Es sind wieder einige kleine Details im Cover zu erkennen, die Lust auf die Geschichte machen. Darüber hinaus gibt es im Buch eine schöne Karte sowie Illustrationen. Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist flüssig, leicht und locker. Sie schafft es, dass man mit der Geschichte mitgerissen wird.

Ella ist ein neugieriges und vor allem sympathisches Mädchen. Sie versucht allem mit dem nötigen Respekt zu begegnen, auch wenn ihr das an manchen Tagen schwerfällt. Sie kann die Vorurteile gegenüber ihrer Gemeinschaft nicht nachvollziehen. Für mich ist Ella genau die Protagonistin, der ich zutrauen würde die Welt zu verändern. Natürlich hat sie auch Unterstützung von ihren Freunden Brigit und Jason. Und auch diese beiden sind tolle Charaktere, die ihre eigene Geschichte haben und sich in die Geschichte einbringen.

Man muss zwingend die Geschichte von Band 1 vor Band 2 lesen, ansonsten wird es schwer der Geschichte zu folgen. Die Welt, in der die Geschichte spielt, ist ziemlich komplex mit den beiden Gemeinschaften und deren Besonderheiten, sowie den Paragonen.

In dieser Geschichte gefällt mir besonders gut, dass die Gegenwart und die Vergangenheit behandelt werden. Denn diese gehen Hand in Hand und erklären gewisse Gegebenheiten. Es macht viel Freude Ella und ihren Freunden auf der Suche nach der Wahrheit zu begleiten. Die Kinder vollziehen große Taten, die die Gesellschaft nachhaltig ändern könnte, auch wenn die Meinungen und Vorurteile hartnäckig in den Köpfen sind. Schließlich gehen Ella und ihre Freunde mit bestem Beispiel voran.

Auch wenn ich ein riesen Fan der Geschichte bin, muss ich gestehen, dass es auch Passagen gibt, die für mich zu sehr in die Länge gezogen sind. Darüber hinaus finde ich die eine oder andere Szene wirr oder sprunghaft, sodass ich ab und zu Passagen doppelt lesen musste.

Aber alles in Allem eine wundervolle Fortsetzung. Ich bin schon gespannt wie die Reise von Ella, Brigit und Jason weitergeht.

[Adelaide · Rating 5 out of 5]

I realized that I haven’t rated a book five stars in a while… opps. Well anyways I think this book was really good and honestly I have no complaints. I would’ve finished it faster if I hadn’t lost it for a day….. Though I do think some things were quite obvious like the fact headmarveller MacDonald was dating Sera Baptiste, or the fact that Brigit’s father was Johan Knudsen. But either-way I don’t care because those were theories of mine and I was proven correct. I also loved that someone in the book was named Adelaide because though I know a lot of Adelaide’s in real life (not including me) all the one in books are men. Even though her character was not a really good one. I highly recommend!

[Missy H]

Much of what I enjoyed about the first was present in the sequel: the inclusion of so many cultures in a familiar tale. This time, the familiarity grew - some hints of Star Wars, as well as the ever present callback to Harry Potter. I didn’t love the aspects of reality that were included, though - namely allusions to Trump and COVID - which, for me, made a fun and quick read a little less fun.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, This time, I found the audiobook narration a little grating. I wish this book was read with a little bit more maturity. It makes Ella sound like a six year old rather than a twelve year old. I'm not sure how long this series is supposed to be, but I hope it follows Ella's journey all the way through the Arcanum.

[Rachel Kohlbrenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars and a great 2nd book in this series. There was so much happening, lots of new questions and learning more in this magical universe. It was fun and looking forward to the next one in the series to see what happens next.

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sequel, it created new mysteries while maintaining a strong storyline since book one. The only thing that I found a bit off was the pacing in the middle, but other than that it was a great follow up!

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book two in this MG series. Hope there are more coming.

[Karolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

cudowna zabawa w obu częściach 🥹

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will continue to rave about this series. Want something that feels like the magic of Harry Potter and the world she built but with DIVERSITY and a non-problematic author? READ THIS

[Czarina Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun! I loved the first book and enjoyed this one just as much. The world of these books are magical and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite series!

[Manon the Malicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this sequel to The Marvellers. I loved where the story took us and seeing the characters grow up. I was so taken by the story. I was enthralled from start to finish and could picture the school so well and rooted for Ella and her friends the entire time. The plot truly thickened in The Memory Thieves and I was oh so here for it. I cannot wait for more from this series. It's just so so good and captivating. I love these characters and I want to see what more they can do!

[Madds.lib ⚢ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Man this one was such a disappointment. I really enjoyed the first one and was so excited for book two, but I found it so frustrating.
Why does Ella never refuse to talk to any of the many adults in her life?! she has so many people who would support her but she chooses to consistently make things worse by flying by the seat of her pants and trying to save the day on her own. I find it hard to believe and that that doesn’t fit with her personality.
It would be different if there weren’t so many adults in Ella’s life but she has every opportunity to seek help and instead just does nothing. She doesn’t listen to lessons and puts everyone around her in danger by jumping in without a plan or a clue.

[Zachary Brinkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

And thus my woes about being behind on my reading schedule continue... fear not, though, because the quarter has officially ended and I am on Spring Break now! I have some things to take care of here and there but, other than that, I am hoping (and praying) to be sitting on my couch with a mug of coffee and a good book for the majority of this upcoming week.

Ignoring the fact that it is nearly the end of March now, this was the last novel that I had planned to read for Black History Month and I have finally gotten around to finishing it—this is a telltale marker of just how behind I am, right?

Regardless, I stumbled up on The Conjureverse Series randomly while browsing Middle Grades novels at my neighborhood library and enjoyed the first book so much that I decided to delve right into the next one... and, despite being the second installment in a three or four part fantasy series, this did not disappoint.

Dhonielle Clayton's The Memory Thieves picks up right at the end of summer break after the first book ends and takes the reader on a wild ride with some new backdrops, an engaging and action-packed plot, and some character development and growth that rivals that of its predecessors and competitors.

Though I could have done without the various points of view or the too-rushed ending, I found this to be a solid follow-up to the first installment and strong enough to stand on its own. Thus, I am giving this a fairly high rating.

“Conjurors were born with a deep twilight inside them, allowing the work of crossing spells and tending to the dead in the Underworld. Now Ella would be the first one to enroll, and when she passed all the tests, she'd be the first to join the Marvellian community.”

Let me start my proper review of this novel, as I normally do, by talking about the setting and the worldbuilding: it was (pun-intended) MARVELOUS! As I spoke about in my review of The Marvellers, this book mostly takes place at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors. Here, though, we get a little bit of a twist... apparently, the Arcanum changes locations and "theme," for lack of a better term, each year and we get to experience the shift in that throughout the entire front half of the novel. With the school floating over the Nordic Sea, there is snow year-round. In addition to this, the school has taken on a Chinese architectural style and incorporates Chinese mythology into the mix. I thought that the author was really creative in taking this approach because it gives us a new backdrop for each book and a new place for the reader to explore each time; this was masterfully crafted and well thought out.

Other than this, we also get to learn more about both marvels and conjure throughout this book and I enjoyed how the education builds upon itself, as it does in reality.

We got to explore more of the Marvellian cities, as well as their political systems, too, and I thought that this was an interesting way to rope in modern and current concerns into a fantasy book that could appeal to readers on many different levels.

When it comes to the plot, I thought that Clayton did a really good job at gripping the reader from the first chapter and keeping the pacing at a steady level throughout the entire novel; I don't remember feeling any part of it lulling or growing stale, even in the middle, and that has to be applauded—especially for a Middle Grades novel of this length.

The author did approach the point-of-view differently, however. I liked that we got some perspective from the Ace of Anarchy herself but I feel like this revealed FAR too much of the plot before the main characters latched onto it and it lessened the impact of the twists, in my opinion.

I also thought that the last few chapters could have been "beefed up." Everything felt like it was wrapped up a bit too quickly and I would have liked to see some more depth to the climax. I do recognize that this is a Middle Grades novel and the target audience is VERY far away from me, however, so that may just be a personal gripe.

Just like with the first installment, I enjoyed the themes of prejudice and discrimination threaded throughout the story; this was done really well and was less "on the nose" than it could have been and I think that this worked in the book's favor, if nothing else. The insertion of current political issues and the COVID-19 Pandemic was an interesting addition, as well.

The characters were lovely and I feel like there was a substantial amount of development for each of them; one of my favorite things about the Magical School trope is watching the characters mature through the years and I can already see that happening here!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and was very happy to see that it didn't suffer from Second Book Syndrome! I am not exactly sure how many subsequent novels are going to be in this series but I already have the next one, The Deadly Fates, tagged at my library...

[Jojo Frost]

I was waiting for some news about this sequel. So excited. I can't wait to read this.

[Tasneem · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved the first book so I had high expectations for this book...I liked the first one a lot better but it's still ok...

[Kinu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have SO many thoughts after finishing this book. Just wow. What a series. So this review might sound a bit scattered. Anyway I didn't get time to rate the first one so consider this as a review for book 1 of this series, 'the marvellers' as well.
Spoilers for the first two books in this series btw!! You have been warned.

First of all, the few problems I had with the first book, with the word 'star' being overused for alot of terms was fixed in this book, there was alot more variety which I love to see! and the professor names being those of other authors was quite cliche but I dont think it was present in this book. Or perhaps im not as well read yet for the professors names in this novel to ring a bell. Alot of series suffer from second book syndrome which was not present here at all surprisingly, in fact, I think memory thieves might be my favourite so far, as it added to the conjureverse and fixed errors that were in the previous book. I heard the 3rd was great as well so it seems its only up from here. The diversity and research put into displaying different cultures is fascinating to see and read about as always. I saw a reddit post that said that children didn't care about identity politics or representation in media but id disagree, as someone apart of a minority, these are the kinds of stories I would've loved to see and read as a child and these kinds of tales are still lacking in amount in the world and are needed to teach and guide children into becoming and growing into more accepting and empathetic adults being driven by their own passion for knowledge in learning about other cultures and practices outside their own. anyway, I digress. I also love how this series handled the reveal of brigit's parents. *ahem* Shannon messenger please take notes. I do hope we get more opportunity to see the sky cities outside of conflict driven moments and through more of a school field trip setting as I think it was mentioned in the first book when the girls first meet Jason that when the sky cities draw closer to the institute students are allowed to go there and shop and hang out, kind of like their very own hogsmeade field trips like in Harry potter. We kind of did get this in this book but it was for the presidential election purpose, not because the city itself had floated closer to the institute. Since this is a thing that seems to happen I hope it gets more of a mention in the 3rd book or the upcoming 4th installment and we get a chance to see the trio or their other friends relax and hang out over there. And the world building is so intricate and layered, I so want as many excuses as possible to see more of it.

The only issue I noticed in both this book and the last is that around the last 50 pages or so, basically during the height of the main conflict/climax is that the author has a tendency to drop a bunch of different plot twists onto us and doesn't give the characters any breathing space to deal or process it later and we just have to sort of sit with it. I let it slide because it's a middle grade series but still. Its already weaving in such complex themes and teaching such amazing morals I dont think theres an excuse for it to slack in this regard atleast, especially since the author has such a good inner voice when it comes to writing and showing instead of telling and I feel like she should lean into it more and learn to trust it. If this is supposed to be a long term series beyond just four books , and she really wants to spell some things out for us instead of letting us read between the lines (i.e brigit's father, headmarveller Mcdonald and sera's relationship) then maybe she can save some of the big reveals the characters cant immediately deal with or have time to process for the start of the next book.

Anyway, overall a 4.5/5, really amazing series, would recommend especially if ur a fan of nevermoor, amari, and kotlc.