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A magia perdida de Sparrow Xia
With atmospheric illustrations full of warmth, adventure, and friendship on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is an unforgettable magical school story.To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don't, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud-for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic-to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special. While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they'll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it . . .With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 15, 2026
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia was such a cozy, magical ride. Imagine a magical school story mixed with mystery, friendship, and one very relatable main character who is basically running on “please validate me” energy the entire time. Sparrow felt super real...awkward, determined, emotional, and constantly comparing herself to everyone else.
The worldbuilding was fun without being overwhelming, and the magic system had that classic “I wish I could enroll in this school immediately” vibe. I especially loved Sparrow’s friendships because they felt genuine and sweet instead of overly dramatic. Also, the illustrations sprinkled throughout the book made everything feel extra charming.
Parts of the story moved a little slowly, and I wanted some side characters to get more development. But once the mystery picked up, I was hooked.
Overall, this book felt like a warm cup of hot chocolate with a tiny fireball floating on top. Perfect for readers who love magical schools, underdog heroes, and stories about learning that your worth isn’t tied to being the best.
Thank you Times Reads for sending the ARC in exchange for honest review.
The worldbuilding was fun without being overwhelming, and the magic system had that classic “I wish I could enroll in this school immediately” vibe. I especially loved Sparrow’s friendships because they felt genuine and sweet instead of overly dramatic. Also, the illustrations sprinkled throughout the book made everything feel extra charming.
Parts of the story moved a little slowly, and I wanted some side characters to get more development. But once the mystery picked up, I was hooked.
Overall, this book felt like a warm cup of hot chocolate with a tiny fireball floating on top. Perfect for readers who love magical schools, underdog heroes, and stories about learning that your worth isn’t tied to being the best.
Thank you Times Reads for sending the ARC in exchange for honest review.
June 4, 2026
Loved this middle grade magical novel that takes place at Zenith Academy for Magical Development. While I entered the book thinking it would resemble Harry Potter and Howarts, that thinking quickly changed as I was caught up in a story based on kids having magic but adults magic fades with age. There is a mystery that is wrapped up in a strange illness which drains students' magic and it comes to an exciting conclusion. I loved Sparrow and her friends - they have real feelings and real flaws. Add in the great illustrations and this book is a winner! Looking forward to more in this series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The blurb reads: With atmospheric illustrations full of warmth, adventure, and friendship on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is an unforgettable magical school story.
To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don’t, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud—for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic—to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special.
While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they’ll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it…
With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.
And oh my gosh, y’all.
This book.
*collapses into sobs*
It broke me… Maybe even more than The Q did. (And that, my dear, is saying something. One does not simply write a book more heartbreaking than one of Beth Brower’s.) Just…. oh my goodness. The twists, the turns, the PLOT TWISTS, and the ending…
I originally picked this book up due to the absolutely gorgeous cover illustration and also because I wanted to read a book with a Chinese protagonist where the world isn’t really based on Chinese mythology or culture. (We need more of them!!) Not to mention the incredibly sweet Author’s Note written in the beginning! <3
And wow, this book did not disappoint at all.
The world and the plot and the characters… The characters in this novel are wonderful, and there really are just far too many good ones for me to possibly pick a favorite!! Camellia, Orla, Sparrow, Lyndon…They really are just so well-written!!
Though if I were to pick a favorite character, I would have to go with Sparrow. Not only does she have a terribly fascinating name, I related to her so much throughout the story, about wanting to be better and about not ever really feeling good enough. I do think it is something that a lot of people will be able to relate to, and I just loved seeing Sparrow grow throughout this book! ^^ Definitely one of my most beloved characters.
My second favorite would likely have to be either Camellia and Orla — Orla is just such a sweet character, and her friendship with Sparrow is absolutely wonderful!! And I loved seeing Camellia’s character develop throughout the story, especially how she becomes more than just the foil character meant to bully the protagonist.
And Sahir!!
He is a raven, which I found positively delightful, as I adore ravens. He’s a wonderful animal companion and I loved what he calls Sparrow — “Bird-child”. Because of her name, Sparrow. For some reason, I found it terribly endearing. But most certainly a better one than “birdbrain” as her brother calls her.
And speaking of her brother…
…
*sighs*
I…. ehhhhhh…. ergh……
I hate him.
For the first part of the book, he is incredibly arrogant, selfish, terribly mean to his sister, so much to the point that he is just… deeply unsympathetic and something terribly terrible could happen to him and I would not particularly care.
Not to mention how, towards the end of the book, I was thinking that perhaps Ainsley and Sparrow would finally be able to set aside their differences and understand each other only to get to the climax…………..
…
*sobs*
I will not spoil anything, but oh. my. stars. and. skies.
The climax.
It was absolutely heartbreaking……
WHY AINSLEY WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are no words that can explain my fury and despair.
There were just so many twists (twists that I kept trying to guess all throughout the novel but not once did ever successfully guess them correctly!!! Which hardly happens.) and so many times, I had to stop reading and — had I had a physical ARC — throw it across the room in despair.
So yes. Tis indeed terribly heartbreaking. But it is also wonderful to see how strong Sparrow has grown over the course of the story and to see her be able to stand up like that!!! I was ever so proud of her. But also still terribly heartbroken….
The worldbuilding of this book was fantastic though. I love magical academies, and Zenith Academy for Magical Development does not disappoint at all! Truly. With all of its teachers and the food and all the student relationships, it really does feel like a real school with an incredibly well-developed magic system!
Not to mention the illustrations!!!!
Now, seeing as this is an ARC, it means that quite a lot of the illustrations are rough/unfinished. But there are a few finished ones (well, I’m assuming they’re finished, but I could be wrong. And I don’t know either if they’re meant to be in color or to be printed in black-and-white as they are in the ARC. They would all be so darn gorgeous in color though!!) and they’re amazing!!! They really do help you picture the characters so well and really bring the story to life!
And the author illustrated this book herself. Which is severely cool, in my opinion.
I can’t share any actual illustrations from the book due to it being an unreleased ARC, but this is a link to one of her illustrations on her website.
The only qualms I have over this book is really only the fact that, on NetGalley reader, there is a page towards the end of the story. The background page color is black (a design choice which I really would love, except for the fact that the words themselves are dark blue. Rendering a full two pages of this book basically unreadable. Which was a bit irritating, but there wasn’t too much of the story lost. Twas only two pages, after all.)
But overall, this is a wonderful middle-grade novel, full of humor and heart and wonder and bravery that I think any middle-grade reader will fall in love with! It has so many relatable characters with such immersive worldbuilding that I just loved! Five out of five stars from me.
(Review originally posted on my blog. A thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.)
To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don’t, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud—for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic—to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special.
While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they’ll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it…
With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.
And oh my gosh, y’all.
This book.
*collapses into sobs*
It broke me… Maybe even more than The Q did. (And that, my dear, is saying something. One does not simply write a book more heartbreaking than one of Beth Brower’s.) Just…. oh my goodness. The twists, the turns, the PLOT TWISTS, and the ending…
I originally picked this book up due to the absolutely gorgeous cover illustration and also because I wanted to read a book with a Chinese protagonist where the world isn’t really based on Chinese mythology or culture. (We need more of them!!) Not to mention the incredibly sweet Author’s Note written in the beginning! <3
And wow, this book did not disappoint at all.
The world and the plot and the characters… The characters in this novel are wonderful, and there really are just far too many good ones for me to possibly pick a favorite!! Camellia, Orla, Sparrow, Lyndon…They really are just so well-written!!
Though if I were to pick a favorite character, I would have to go with Sparrow. Not only does she have a terribly fascinating name, I related to her so much throughout the story, about wanting to be better and about not ever really feeling good enough. I do think it is something that a lot of people will be able to relate to, and I just loved seeing Sparrow grow throughout this book! ^^ Definitely one of my most beloved characters.
My second favorite would likely have to be either Camellia and Orla — Orla is just such a sweet character, and her friendship with Sparrow is absolutely wonderful!! And I loved seeing Camellia’s character develop throughout the story, especially how she becomes more than just the foil character meant to bully the protagonist.
And Sahir!!
He is a raven, which I found positively delightful, as I adore ravens. He’s a wonderful animal companion and I loved what he calls Sparrow — “Bird-child”. Because of her name, Sparrow. For some reason, I found it terribly endearing. But most certainly a better one than “birdbrain” as her brother calls her.
And speaking of her brother…
…
*sighs*
I…. ehhhhhh…. ergh……
I hate him.
For the first part of the book, he is incredibly arrogant, selfish, terribly mean to his sister, so much to the point that he is just… deeply unsympathetic and something terribly terrible could happen to him and I would not particularly care.
Not to mention how, towards the end of the book, I was thinking that perhaps Ainsley and Sparrow would finally be able to set aside their differences and understand each other only to get to the climax…………..
…
*sobs*
I will not spoil anything, but oh. my. stars. and. skies.
The climax.
It was absolutely heartbreaking……
WHY AINSLEY WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are no words that can explain my fury and despair.
There were just so many twists (twists that I kept trying to guess all throughout the novel but not once did ever successfully guess them correctly!!! Which hardly happens.) and so many times, I had to stop reading and — had I had a physical ARC — throw it across the room in despair.
So yes. Tis indeed terribly heartbreaking. But it is also wonderful to see how strong Sparrow has grown over the course of the story and to see her be able to stand up like that!!! I was ever so proud of her. But also still terribly heartbroken….
The worldbuilding of this book was fantastic though. I love magical academies, and Zenith Academy for Magical Development does not disappoint at all! Truly. With all of its teachers and the food and all the student relationships, it really does feel like a real school with an incredibly well-developed magic system!
Not to mention the illustrations!!!!
Now, seeing as this is an ARC, it means that quite a lot of the illustrations are rough/unfinished. But there are a few finished ones (well, I’m assuming they’re finished, but I could be wrong. And I don’t know either if they’re meant to be in color or to be printed in black-and-white as they are in the ARC. They would all be so darn gorgeous in color though!!) and they’re amazing!!! They really do help you picture the characters so well and really bring the story to life!
And the author illustrated this book herself. Which is severely cool, in my opinion.
I can’t share any actual illustrations from the book due to it being an unreleased ARC, but this is a link to one of her illustrations on her website.
The only qualms I have over this book is really only the fact that, on NetGalley reader, there is a page towards the end of the story. The background page color is black (a design choice which I really would love, except for the fact that the words themselves are dark blue. Rendering a full two pages of this book basically unreadable. Which was a bit irritating, but there wasn’t too much of the story lost. Twas only two pages, after all.)
But overall, this is a wonderful middle-grade novel, full of humor and heart and wonder and bravery that I think any middle-grade reader will fall in love with! It has so many relatable characters with such immersive worldbuilding that I just loved! Five out of five stars from me.
(Review originally posted on my blog. A thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the ARC.)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Sparrow lives in the United Realms, a world where children have magic but adults do not. Because magic can be channeled into magestones and runs everything, the children with more magical abilities are sent to schools to cultivate their skills. Sparrow has always been told that she isn't as good as her brother Ainsley, so is both relieved and scared to be attending the Zenith Academy for Magical Development, the school her brother attends. After saying goodbye to their mother and heading through the Luneport, Sparrow arrives at the academy only to find that first year students have to climb a mountain to get to the school. She has befriended Lyndon Demara, who seems nice, but who takes off up the mountain and won't help Sparrow when another student, Orla, falls. Sparrow helps the other student, and the two manage to make it to the gates of school just in time, although many students do not. When the identification pendants are being handed out, Sparrow sees a vision when she looks upon the Eye of Zipporah, but no one else in her class has a similar experience. There are many classes, including an herb class with Silas Rowan, a snotty classmate, Camellia, and a lot of unpleasant run ins with Ainsley. Sparrow finds that her magic is stronger than she thought, and can be unmanageable when she becomes angry. When other students become ill with magedrain fever, she and her new friends try to investigate and find out what is causing it. Will Sparrow be able to develop her magic, complete her evals, and save Zenith Academy from destruction?
Strengths: While there are many fantasy books, I can't think of one that has such great illustrations. These add a lot to building the fantasy world, especially when there are so many pictures! I wish that more middle grade books were heavily illustrated. Zenith Academy has lots of things to recommend it: tasty meals, a variety of students, classes on magical topics, and, of course, a force of evil that must be stopped. Ainsley is really quite an evil older brother, and it's fairly clear why Sparrow suffers from poor self image. Despite the treatment she has received at home, she is a good person, and tries her best to be a good friend and classmate, which is endearing to see. The mystery about the sickness is well developed, and Sparrow and her friends do the best investigation that they can. I feel like there is something more to this story, and fully expect there to be more books coming out about Zentih Academy. The uniform is perfect for cosplay! If any of my students need a turtleneck, I've got a whole drawer of them, and the magestone identification pendants won't be hard to make. Wide legged pants should be hitting the thrift stores this spring and will be easy enough to turn into the cropped pants.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure when publishing will realize that younger readers are not as enthralled by books like Harry Potter as the generation before them was. There have been several articles about this, even in the New York Times, and I have definitely seen this in my school library. I used to have a whole list of "magical academy" books, but I haven't had a single student ask for one this entire year. The author's note at the beginning of the book added some insight to the trend I am seeing: she grew up escaping into fantasy books because there was a lot of pressure on her academically. My students today don't even feel pressure to turn in homework, and have little imagination, so it's not a surprise that they don't enjoy fantasy books.
What I really think: The illustrations do set this book apart from other fantasy books, and the story is fairly well constructed. I think fantasy books are going to start falling into a category like horse books or talking animal books; I'll buy one or two a year to add to my already large collection. This is one of the better books I have read lately, so I will purchase a copy in case my readers work their way through
Sanders' Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, Elle's Taste Of Magic (Park Row Magic Academy #1), Perry's Jaden Powers and the Inheritance Magic, Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, Adame's Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic, Williams' Where There Be Monsters, Madanna's Vanya and the Wild Hunt, Okogwu's Onyeka and the Acadmey of the Sun, Dumas' Wildseed Witch, Thomas' Nic Blake, and Clayton's The Marvellers. I hope that the next book in the series explains a little more why children have magic and adults do not... always.
Sparrow lives in the United Realms, a world where children have magic but adults do not. Because magic can be channeled into magestones and runs everything, the children with more magical abilities are sent to schools to cultivate their skills. Sparrow has always been told that she isn't as good as her brother Ainsley, so is both relieved and scared to be attending the Zenith Academy for Magical Development, the school her brother attends. After saying goodbye to their mother and heading through the Luneport, Sparrow arrives at the academy only to find that first year students have to climb a mountain to get to the school. She has befriended Lyndon Demara, who seems nice, but who takes off up the mountain and won't help Sparrow when another student, Orla, falls. Sparrow helps the other student, and the two manage to make it to the gates of school just in time, although many students do not. When the identification pendants are being handed out, Sparrow sees a vision when she looks upon the Eye of Zipporah, but no one else in her class has a similar experience. There are many classes, including an herb class with Silas Rowan, a snotty classmate, Camellia, and a lot of unpleasant run ins with Ainsley. Sparrow finds that her magic is stronger than she thought, and can be unmanageable when she becomes angry. When other students become ill with magedrain fever, she and her new friends try to investigate and find out what is causing it. Will Sparrow be able to develop her magic, complete her evals, and save Zenith Academy from destruction?
Strengths: While there are many fantasy books, I can't think of one that has such great illustrations. These add a lot to building the fantasy world, especially when there are so many pictures! I wish that more middle grade books were heavily illustrated. Zenith Academy has lots of things to recommend it: tasty meals, a variety of students, classes on magical topics, and, of course, a force of evil that must be stopped. Ainsley is really quite an evil older brother, and it's fairly clear why Sparrow suffers from poor self image. Despite the treatment she has received at home, she is a good person, and tries her best to be a good friend and classmate, which is endearing to see. The mystery about the sickness is well developed, and Sparrow and her friends do the best investigation that they can. I feel like there is something more to this story, and fully expect there to be more books coming out about Zentih Academy. The uniform is perfect for cosplay! If any of my students need a turtleneck, I've got a whole drawer of them, and the magestone identification pendants won't be hard to make. Wide legged pants should be hitting the thrift stores this spring and will be easy enough to turn into the cropped pants.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure when publishing will realize that younger readers are not as enthralled by books like Harry Potter as the generation before them was. There have been several articles about this, even in the New York Times, and I have definitely seen this in my school library. I used to have a whole list of "magical academy" books, but I haven't had a single student ask for one this entire year. The author's note at the beginning of the book added some insight to the trend I am seeing: she grew up escaping into fantasy books because there was a lot of pressure on her academically. My students today don't even feel pressure to turn in homework, and have little imagination, so it's not a surprise that they don't enjoy fantasy books.
What I really think: The illustrations do set this book apart from other fantasy books, and the story is fairly well constructed. I think fantasy books are going to start falling into a category like horse books or talking animal books; I'll buy one or two a year to add to my already large collection. This is one of the better books I have read lately, so I will purchase a copy in case my readers work their way through
Sanders' Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew, Elle's Taste Of Magic (Park Row Magic Academy #1), Perry's Jaden Powers and the Inheritance Magic, Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, Adame's Chloe Vega and the Agents of Magic, Williams' Where There Be Monsters, Madanna's Vanya and the Wild Hunt, Okogwu's Onyeka and the Acadmey of the Sun, Dumas' Wildseed Witch, Thomas' Nic Blake, and Clayton's The Marvellers. I hope that the next book in the series explains a little more why children have magic and adults do not... always.
May 5, 2026
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is about a young girl named Sparrow who is starting her first year at Zenith Academy for Magical Development. Zenith is a school where the students learn how to strengthen their magical abilities. In Sparrow's world, children are the ones with magic and will eventually lose their abilities by adulthood. It's important for them to make the most of their magic while they still have it and find a place in their world without it.
Sparrow has been living in the shadow of her more talented older brother, Ainsley, for her entire life and she hopes to be able master her fire mage abilities. One of her motivations is to make those around her proud and prove herself to them. While, she works hard at the academy a strange illness starts affecting the other students, which is draining their magic from them. Sparrow works with her friends to try and find out what is going on and who is causing this to occur.
Leia Ham has created a great book for middle grade readers and those like me who still like to read this age range. I was originally drawn to Sparrow's story because of Leia's stunning illustrations. She is one of the artists I follow on Instagram. Each page in this stunning book is illustrated and they all look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to see what a finished copy of this book will look like.
Sparrow's story is one I relate to. I had to work very hard in school when I was in elementary and middle school to keep my grades higher. Like Sparrow, I always wanted to make my parents proud of me and in my mind that was getting the best grades I could. She never feels like she is good enough and I know there are plenty of people who can relate to her. It was a joy to watch her grow throughout the novel.
Along with Sparrow, I highly enjoyed following all of the friends she made at Zenith including: Lyndon, Orla, Camellia, etc. There are so many strong characters in this book which make it even more enjoyable. I loved watching their characters develop over the course of the story and I look forward to seeing more of their adventures in future books.
One of my absolute favorite characters from the story was definitely the raven, Sahir. I'll always be a sucker for a talking animal in a story and he was great. He was such an endearing character and I loved the nickname he had for Sparrow, "bird-child," so cute!
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a wonderful middle grade fantasy story which has a lot of heart, humor, and a story that will draw you in. The characters are relatable and the world-building is interesting. I believe middle grade readers will love this story and I'm sure there are plenty of older readers who would love Sparrow's story too. Cannot wait for more adventures in this world and to add this one to my collection.
*Thank you to Edelweiss, the publisher, and Leia Haim for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
Sparrow has been living in the shadow of her more talented older brother, Ainsley, for her entire life and she hopes to be able master her fire mage abilities. One of her motivations is to make those around her proud and prove herself to them. While, she works hard at the academy a strange illness starts affecting the other students, which is draining their magic from them. Sparrow works with her friends to try and find out what is going on and who is causing this to occur.
Leia Ham has created a great book for middle grade readers and those like me who still like to read this age range. I was originally drawn to Sparrow's story because of Leia's stunning illustrations. She is one of the artists I follow on Instagram. Each page in this stunning book is illustrated and they all look absolutely beautiful. I cannot wait to see what a finished copy of this book will look like.
Sparrow's story is one I relate to. I had to work very hard in school when I was in elementary and middle school to keep my grades higher. Like Sparrow, I always wanted to make my parents proud of me and in my mind that was getting the best grades I could. She never feels like she is good enough and I know there are plenty of people who can relate to her. It was a joy to watch her grow throughout the novel.
Along with Sparrow, I highly enjoyed following all of the friends she made at Zenith including: Lyndon, Orla, Camellia, etc. There are so many strong characters in this book which make it even more enjoyable. I loved watching their characters develop over the course of the story and I look forward to seeing more of their adventures in future books.
One of my absolute favorite characters from the story was definitely the raven, Sahir. I'll always be a sucker for a talking animal in a story and he was great. He was such an endearing character and I loved the nickname he had for Sparrow, "bird-child," so cute!
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a wonderful middle grade fantasy story which has a lot of heart, humor, and a story that will draw you in. The characters are relatable and the world-building is interesting. I believe middle grade readers will love this story and I'm sure there are plenty of older readers who would love Sparrow's story too. Cannot wait for more adventures in this world and to add this one to my collection.
*Thank you to Edelweiss, the publisher, and Leia Haim for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
June 13, 2026
What worked:
Sparrow, real name Ruyan, is an unassuming, humble student, trying to learn about magic before it’s lost. All children in this setting possess magic while knowing they’ll lose it as adults. Her older brother Ainsley is a third-year student, but he’s recognized for his powerful fire magic. In contrast, the fire Sparrow summons is barely larger than the flame on a match, and she feels inadequate when compared to other students, especially her brother. However, she sees a vision while being tested for her magical ability, and she’s told that’s usually an indicator of strong power. The head healer examines her and says something is blocking Sparrow’s ability to access her power. This tells readers that there’s more to her character than they currently see, and they’ll await the moment her powers awaken.
Sparrow becomes obsessed with finding out the cause of magedrain, which is causing students to lose their magic. She thinks it’s not natural reasons and suspects that someone is poisoning their classmates. Sparrow quickly identifies a suspect, but readers will question if she’s right. The suspect seems too obvious, and Sparrow makes all of her observations and “evidence” fit this person. The illness is attacking students with the strongest magic, so Sparrow fears her brother may be one of the next victims. Her friend wonders if Sparrow is more concerned about finding the guilty party or proving her brother wrong. Good question.
The school’s purpose is to strengthen students’ magic, and it’s interesting to see the variety of mages. Besides Sparrow’s fire, her best friends Lyndon and Orla possess air and nature magic, respectively. All of the students want stronger powers, although Lyndon has a special interest in magecraft, the art of engineering magic. The school includes a first-year bully who goes out of her way to heckle and tease Sparrow. Sparrow eventually has an unexpected reaction to the girl’s harassment, but it’s important to the story.
What didn’t work as well:
It would be nice to know more about a few of the supporting characters. Ainsley is a conflicted mage, but readers are only shown his arrogant side. Camellia taunts Sparrow throughout much of the story, but behaves differently later on. Readers don’t really know exactly what changed to cause this new version of herself.
The final verdict:
The book has many of the same traits as other stories about schools for magic students, although it’s unusual that none of the teachers can perform it. The plot focuses on the mystery of magedrain and Sparrow’s drive to prove herself, culminating in a surprising revelation that will continue into the sequel. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
Sparrow, real name Ruyan, is an unassuming, humble student, trying to learn about magic before it’s lost. All children in this setting possess magic while knowing they’ll lose it as adults. Her older brother Ainsley is a third-year student, but he’s recognized for his powerful fire magic. In contrast, the fire Sparrow summons is barely larger than the flame on a match, and she feels inadequate when compared to other students, especially her brother. However, she sees a vision while being tested for her magical ability, and she’s told that’s usually an indicator of strong power. The head healer examines her and says something is blocking Sparrow’s ability to access her power. This tells readers that there’s more to her character than they currently see, and they’ll await the moment her powers awaken.
Sparrow becomes obsessed with finding out the cause of magedrain, which is causing students to lose their magic. She thinks it’s not natural reasons and suspects that someone is poisoning their classmates. Sparrow quickly identifies a suspect, but readers will question if she’s right. The suspect seems too obvious, and Sparrow makes all of her observations and “evidence” fit this person. The illness is attacking students with the strongest magic, so Sparrow fears her brother may be one of the next victims. Her friend wonders if Sparrow is more concerned about finding the guilty party or proving her brother wrong. Good question.
The school’s purpose is to strengthen students’ magic, and it’s interesting to see the variety of mages. Besides Sparrow’s fire, her best friends Lyndon and Orla possess air and nature magic, respectively. All of the students want stronger powers, although Lyndon has a special interest in magecraft, the art of engineering magic. The school includes a first-year bully who goes out of her way to heckle and tease Sparrow. Sparrow eventually has an unexpected reaction to the girl’s harassment, but it’s important to the story.
What didn’t work as well:
It would be nice to know more about a few of the supporting characters. Ainsley is a conflicted mage, but readers are only shown his arrogant side. Camellia taunts Sparrow throughout much of the story, but behaves differently later on. Readers don’t really know exactly what changed to cause this new version of herself.
The final verdict:
The book has many of the same traits as other stories about schools for magic students, although it’s unusual that none of the teachers can perform it. The plot focuses on the mystery of magedrain and Sparrow’s drive to prove herself, culminating in a surprising revelation that will continue into the sequel. I recommend you try this book for yourself.
May 9, 2026
I'm of two minds about this one, so I'll break this down into pros and cons. For starters, let me just say that I'd compare this to a wizarding school series that I refuse to name; the Septimus Heap series (minus the tongue-in-cheek narration); and the fire magic elements kept bringing me back to Avatar: The Last Airbender.
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What I Liked:
- The illustrations, which really make this pop. The prose is a little light on descriptions but the lovely art fills in those gaps.
- The world is a lot more inclusive than many others in this genre. It's not based on a single culture or mythos; instead, the cast is diverse, as are the aesthetics of the world, the food, the manifestations of magic, and so on.
- It's an interesting mechanic to have magic fade as people get older, and I thought Ham used that in a compelling way to explore how this shifts power dynamics. People in positions of authority, and with a lot of education, are inherently weaker in their magic. Kids are still kids, and can be manipulated by adults, but kids have a huge advantage and as such don't need to be as physically cautious around parents and teachers.
What Didn't Work for Me:
- There are many tropes of the magical school genre that were included here, but which don't necessarily make a lot of sense with the mechanics and worldbuilding. I felt that there were a lot of plot and logistical holes that were never addressed.
- There are some major plot points where adults make choices that are dubious at best and then hold the kids accountable for them? I can't get too in-depth here without spoilers but overall I wish that there had been a bit more development and detail in those places because sometimes things happened just to move the plot forward in a way that felt contradictory.
- I often felt that plot momentum was valued over character development, which I know is fine for some people but is not my preference.
I would say that this is early middle grade, and that most target readers are going to be less concerned about plot structure, etc. etc., but I wish that this book had relied less on "magical academy" tropes and had delved more into the world and into the characters than it did. That said: it's a debut novel, and the author notes that she sees herself as an artist first, so I would happily read later installments of this to see where it goes. Pretty sure, based on context clues, that this will be a trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this beautifully illustrated novel.
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What I Liked:
- The illustrations, which really make this pop. The prose is a little light on descriptions but the lovely art fills in those gaps.
- The world is a lot more inclusive than many others in this genre. It's not based on a single culture or mythos; instead, the cast is diverse, as are the aesthetics of the world, the food, the manifestations of magic, and so on.
- It's an interesting mechanic to have magic fade as people get older, and I thought Ham used that in a compelling way to explore how this shifts power dynamics. People in positions of authority, and with a lot of education, are inherently weaker in their magic. Kids are still kids, and can be manipulated by adults, but kids have a huge advantage and as such don't need to be as physically cautious around parents and teachers.
What Didn't Work for Me:
- There are many tropes of the magical school genre that were included here, but which don't necessarily make a lot of sense with the mechanics and worldbuilding. I felt that there were a lot of plot and logistical holes that were never addressed.
- There are some major plot points where adults make choices that are dubious at best and then hold the kids accountable for them? I can't get too in-depth here without spoilers but overall I wish that there had been a bit more development and detail in those places because sometimes things happened just to move the plot forward in a way that felt contradictory.
- I often felt that plot momentum was valued over character development, which I know is fine for some people but is not my preference.
I would say that this is early middle grade, and that most target readers are going to be less concerned about plot structure, etc. etc., but I wish that this book had relied less on "magical academy" tropes and had delved more into the world and into the characters than it did. That said: it's a debut novel, and the author notes that she sees herself as an artist first, so I would happily read later installments of this to see where it goes. Pretty sure, based on context clues, that this will be a trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this beautifully illustrated novel.
June 10, 2026
This is a solid 3.5 book.
The best parts were the illustrations, which were absolutely magical, and the commitment to letting certain characters be horrible and vile even in a children's book.
The first half was slow, almost boring. I would prefer more intense and creative worldbuilding. For example magecraft could've been explained in greater detail or the dorms could've been crazier in design. I would like it better if the first trial was more complex, dangerous, or just weirder/esoteric. The characters are standard, with great diversity in both appearance and personality.
My favorite was Camellia. I love a mean girl who can walk the walk and talk the talk. Yas, gurl, be more bitchy, yasss be meaner and more girlboss plesssss. I wish Sparrow and her dated...air and fire will definitely complement each other...
Sometimes the decisions of the adult characters make no sense even for a children's magic school setting. I feel they trust the kids' judgement too much. Why did they believe that Gale was the perpetrator? Is the trial system in this school that bad? He disabled several students, shouldn't he be punished worse? Or maybe I am thinking about this too much...
The 2nd half really picks up the pace and intensity--both in emotion and plot. I enjoyed the battles in this half greatly as well as the twisty turns of the main mystery. Camellia dueling Sparrow was the best part. The tension, the DRAMA. The classic only-you-are-strong-enough-to-beat-me trope had me hollllllerrringggg. I liked the ice japanese girl a lot as well. You can see my proclivities in full view and I'm not ashamed of it.
Definitely the final fight between Sparrow and Ainsley was exciting. It was a treat seeing him falter and then commit to being horrible as well as Master Rowan's classic mad scientist spiel. However I find it hard to believe that he was the first adult all this time to think of such a scheme, but maybe the next book will shed light on these mysteries.
Aesthetic of the book itself is amazing. Probably one of the nicest looking books I own.
Overall it was an enjoyable, fun read and I expect the sequel to be more substantial in both scale, character development, and plot. Looking forward to the next novel!
The best parts were the illustrations, which were absolutely magical, and the commitment to letting certain characters be horrible and vile even in a children's book.
The first half was slow, almost boring. I would prefer more intense and creative worldbuilding. For example magecraft could've been explained in greater detail or the dorms could've been crazier in design. I would like it better if the first trial was more complex, dangerous, or just weirder/esoteric. The characters are standard, with great diversity in both appearance and personality.
My favorite was Camellia. I love a mean girl who can walk the walk and talk the talk. Yas, gurl, be more bitchy, yasss be meaner and more girlboss plesssss. I wish Sparrow and her dated...air and fire will definitely complement each other...
Sometimes the decisions of the adult characters make no sense even for a children's magic school setting. I feel they trust the kids' judgement too much. Why did they believe that Gale was the perpetrator? Is the trial system in this school that bad? He disabled several students, shouldn't he be punished worse? Or maybe I am thinking about this too much...
The 2nd half really picks up the pace and intensity--both in emotion and plot. I enjoyed the battles in this half greatly as well as the twisty turns of the main mystery. Camellia dueling Sparrow was the best part. The tension, the DRAMA. The classic only-you-are-strong-enough-to-beat-me trope had me hollllllerrringggg. I liked the ice japanese girl a lot as well. You can see my proclivities in full view and I'm not ashamed of it.
Definitely the final fight between Sparrow and Ainsley was exciting. It was a treat seeing him falter and then commit to being horrible as well as Master Rowan's classic mad scientist spiel. However I find it hard to believe that he was the first adult all this time to think of such a scheme, but maybe the next book will shed light on these mysteries.
Aesthetic of the book itself is amazing. Probably one of the nicest looking books I own.
Overall it was an enjoyable, fun read and I expect the sequel to be more substantial in both scale, character development, and plot. Looking forward to the next novel!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Sparrow, a 12-year old fire mage, is heading off to Zenith Academy for Magical Development. Constantly being compared to her impressive and powerful older brother Ainsley, Sparrow feels immense pressure to succeed in school, despite her brother’s magic being more powerful than hers. On her first day at Zenith, she connects with other mages whose magic isn’t especially powerful, finding a community at school. While working with the school’s Healer to strengthen her powers, a mysterious illness begins spreading among the students, draining them of their power. The magedrain fever targets the most powerful mages in each class, specifically students whose files were stolen from the Healer’s office by a thief. Sparrow sets out to figure out who is behind the illness diminishing the power of her peers, while also learning about herself and her relationship to her magic. Who is the thief and why are they stealing magic? Does Sparrow have more potential than she ever thought possible?
There are illustrations on almost every page of this book and they’re all beautifully done! They’re black-and-white and semi-realistic, featuring a range of diverse characters. Sparrow and her family are Chinese, Sparrow’s friend Lyndon is Black, and the school’s steward - Mistress Noor - is a brown woman wearing a hijab – these are just a few examples. Beyond the diversity depicted in the illustrations, Ham celebrates the diversity of Zenith’s students in other ways, such as mentioning that the cafeteria has foods that Sparrow is familiar with, as well as lots of foods that she’s unfamiliar with but enjoys trying, such as dosas, chutneys, and pickled fish. The cultural diversity amongst the characters was beautifully portrayed throughout, both in the illustrations and storytelling. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
There are illustrations on almost every page of this book and they’re all beautifully done! They’re black-and-white and semi-realistic, featuring a range of diverse characters. Sparrow and her family are Chinese, Sparrow’s friend Lyndon is Black, and the school’s steward - Mistress Noor - is a brown woman wearing a hijab – these are just a few examples. Beyond the diversity depicted in the illustrations, Ham celebrates the diversity of Zenith’s students in other ways, such as mentioning that the cafeteria has foods that Sparrow is familiar with, as well as lots of foods that she’s unfamiliar with but enjoys trying, such as dosas, chutneys, and pickled fish. The cultural diversity amongst the characters was beautifully portrayed throughout, both in the illustrations and storytelling. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ended up finishing 90% of the book in one sitting. Once the mystery started going it was so hard for me to put down! Sparrow was particularly relatable on a personal level. Her desire to be acknowledged and her insecurities about never being enough in the eyes of her family hit hard, and I just want to give Sparrow (and the author :,) ) a big hug. It felt so cathartic to read about Sparrow learning to not repress her emotions in order to access the potential of her powers, and I really enjoyed her journey of self-acceptance. Despite me predicting the true culprit pretty early on, the build-up of the mystery all the way to the climax was exciting and well-done, with a couple misdirections and red herrings to keep you on your toes. The story is fast-paced with not a moment wasted, though I wish we got to spend more time with the characters and the setting. Sometimes I felt that the plot moved so quickly that there was not a lot of time to linger on the students' class activities and their day-to day lives at the academy. I just want to see the kids hang out together more because they're so cute! The magic system is interesting, but as with the plot moving fast, I wish that the intricacies of the magic system were discussed more.
Overall, it was such a wonderful story with very charming characters (except Ainsley of course; he was SO rude)! I was also shocked at the sheer amount of illustrations and flourishes included in the book. I couldn't believe nearly every page is delightfully decked out. The story has a similar whimsical-with-somewhat-dark-undertones as "Little Witch Academia" and "Witch Hat Atelier," so if you're a fan of those I think you'll enjoy this book!
Overall, it was such a wonderful story with very charming characters (except Ainsley of course; he was SO rude)! I was also shocked at the sheer amount of illustrations and flourishes included in the book. I couldn't believe nearly every page is delightfully decked out. The story has a similar whimsical-with-somewhat-dark-undertones as "Little Witch Academia" and "Witch Hat Atelier," so if you're a fan of those I think you'll enjoy this book!
July 7, 2026
In this fascinating and magical new YA novel, readers follow Sparrow Xia, a super-rare fire mage heading to Zenith Academy for Magical Development. Her chance to finally strengthen her magic and master her talents, Sparrow’s first year at school is marred by a strange illness spreading throughout the school that drains students of her magic. Drawn into the search for the cure, Sparrow and her friends soon learn how far some people will go to keep their magic as they search for the person behind the attacks before they can strike again. Incredibly detailed and packed with characters, readers will love the magical boarding school that Leia Ham brings to life and the characters that inhabit the school, while the magic system is immersive and well-written. The illustrations really add another element to the story by allowing readers to visualize the characters and school, and readers will appreciate the intricacy of the images. With a great mystery element and high stakes, the intensity of the novel increases with the events, and the characters have to grow as the story progresses. Entertaining, immersive, and detailed, YA fantasy fans will love this fascinating new fantasy novel from Leia Ham and the mystery plaguing the school.
Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The second I read the summary of this book, I was reminded of the "only kids have magic" plot point in "Where There Be Monsters" by Alby C. Williams, mixed with a bit of the magical illness in Dhonielle Clayton's "The Memory Thieves." And once I started reading, some of the details REALLY did remind me of "Where There Be Monsters." But it also felt a lot like reading "Harry Potter" (if Ron Weasley were the main character and Percy was his only sibling). Since I was reminded so strongly of multiple different books while reading this, it didn't feel super original at times. That said, this story does take all of those familiar elements and throw in a commentary on toxic achievement culture (in this context, referring to when achievement is or feels required to earn love/respect/admiration), that is not something I have seen done much. It was done well and in a way that it feels like can be built on in the second book. I didn't feel like this book had as much mystery or magic occurring on page as I expected, and there were some awkwardly worded bits in the advance copy that I read. However, the illustrations were fantastic, and I liked the way the story wrapped up. I think this title could really speak to the right audience.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
May 27, 2026
This story was absolutely magical!
It reminded me of reading Harry Potter for the first time, an introduction into a magical world full of interesting plants and a magical school full of mystery! Unlike Harry Potter, though, this book is very diverse and well written.
My dislike for JK Rowling aside, this story is an absolute gem. It’s fun, mysterious, and very sweet at its core, with a message about accepting yourself for who you are.
Magic is an important part of this story, but it doesn’t solve all of our character Sparrow’s problems. She has to improve and grow as a person even after her magic grows stronger. Her character arc was lovely and I can’t wait to see how it grows more in the sequel.
All of the characters were really well done in my opinion! I especially loved the main trio and their friendships.
The art was fantastic, it really breathed life into the story and made the reading experience all the more fun!
The only reason I didn’t rate this five stars is because the pacing was really really fast. It felt like we didn’t get enough time to really sit with certain things that were happening before the next thing happened.
Overall, though, I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for something to fill in the magical school niche!
It reminded me of reading Harry Potter for the first time, an introduction into a magical world full of interesting plants and a magical school full of mystery! Unlike Harry Potter, though, this book is very diverse and well written.
My dislike for JK Rowling aside, this story is an absolute gem. It’s fun, mysterious, and very sweet at its core, with a message about accepting yourself for who you are.
Magic is an important part of this story, but it doesn’t solve all of our character Sparrow’s problems. She has to improve and grow as a person even after her magic grows stronger. Her character arc was lovely and I can’t wait to see how it grows more in the sequel.
All of the characters were really well done in my opinion! I especially loved the main trio and their friendships.
The art was fantastic, it really breathed life into the story and made the reading experience all the more fun!
The only reason I didn’t rate this five stars is because the pacing was really really fast. It felt like we didn’t get enough time to really sit with certain things that were happening before the next thing happened.
Overall, though, I definitely recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for something to fill in the magical school niche!
June 22, 2026
Uma fantasia leve e viciante...
Aqui vamos conhecer a Sparrow que cresceu na sombra do seu irmão Ansley, o Mago de Fogo mais poderoso do colégio Zênite...
E todos na dua família esperam que ela também seja tão poderosa quanto ele, afinal nesse mundo a magia dura pouco, mas é determinante para o sucesso da pessoa...
Quando finalmente a magia dela se manifesta, ela é extremamente fraca, e isso não é motivo nenhum de comemoração, mas ela vai pro colégio, e lá ela vai descobrir que o normal é ter uma magia fraca, e ir ao poucos a desenvolvendo.
Mas tudo muda quando em uma discussão tudo aquilo que bloqueava a sua magia ae rompe e ela percebe o quão forte sempre foi !!
Mas no momento em que isso acontece, a escola está um caos, os Aprendizes estão perdendo sua magia mesmo antes de chegarem a idade adulta, e isso além de estranho é extremamente preocupante!
Mas junto com Orla e Lyndom , Sparrow vai conseguir investigar e descobrir o que está por trás de tudo isso, e assim impedir que a escola seja destruída.
Mas claro que no meio do caminho ela vai entender o que realmente importa !
E vai ser essa descoberta que vai mudar tudo !!
Aqui vamos conhecer a Sparrow que cresceu na sombra do seu irmão Ansley, o Mago de Fogo mais poderoso do colégio Zênite...
E todos na dua família esperam que ela também seja tão poderosa quanto ele, afinal nesse mundo a magia dura pouco, mas é determinante para o sucesso da pessoa...
Quando finalmente a magia dela se manifesta, ela é extremamente fraca, e isso não é motivo nenhum de comemoração, mas ela vai pro colégio, e lá ela vai descobrir que o normal é ter uma magia fraca, e ir ao poucos a desenvolvendo.
Mas tudo muda quando em uma discussão tudo aquilo que bloqueava a sua magia ae rompe e ela percebe o quão forte sempre foi !!
Mas no momento em que isso acontece, a escola está um caos, os Aprendizes estão perdendo sua magia mesmo antes de chegarem a idade adulta, e isso além de estranho é extremamente preocupante!
Mas junto com Orla e Lyndom , Sparrow vai conseguir investigar e descobrir o que está por trás de tudo isso, e assim impedir que a escola seja destruída.
Mas claro que no meio do caminho ela vai entender o que realmente importa !
E vai ser essa descoberta que vai mudar tudo !!
April 22, 2026
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a story of self discovery, set in a magical academy in a world where only children possess magic. This was a fun read, especially with the accompanying illustrations that I finished before I even realised it.
There's just something about middle grade stories that encapsulates very deep yet meaningful themes that doesn't quite hit the mark like YA or adult books. And this is one of it which makes it an even more memorable read. I thought it was going to be a simple read halfway through and I'm so glad that it was more complex than that—the culprit behind all the fevers as well as Sparrow's relationship with her family and friends.
Every page is a page turner what with all the illustrations done from the author (that is what we call talented!) that it really made me the whole reading experience more immersive. It's really pretty too!
All in all, I recommend you to read this book and I'm looking forward for the sequel.
There's just something about middle grade stories that encapsulates very deep yet meaningful themes that doesn't quite hit the mark like YA or adult books. And this is one of it which makes it an even more memorable read. I thought it was going to be a simple read halfway through and I'm so glad that it was more complex than that—the culprit behind all the fevers as well as Sparrow's relationship with her family and friends.
Every page is a page turner what with all the illustrations done from the author (that is what we call talented!) that it really made me the whole reading experience more immersive. It's really pretty too!
All in all, I recommend you to read this book and I'm looking forward for the sequel.
June 22, 2026
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a delightful and engaging middle grade fantasy that blends magical adventure, mystery, and heartfelt character growth.
Leia Ham creates a richly imaginative world where magic shapes everyday life, while grounding the story in Sparrow’s relatable struggle with self-doubt and belonging. The magical academy setting, intriguing mystery involving disappearing powers, and strong themes of friendship and resilience make the novel both exciting and emotionally rewarding. The illustrations add warmth and atmosphere, enhancing an already immersive reading experience.
Overall, it’s a valuable read for fans of middle grade fantasy, magical school stories, adventure fiction, friendship-centered narratives, illustrated novels, coming-of-age tales, fantasy mysteries, and young readers who enjoy stories about courage, perseverance, and discovering their unique strengths.
Leia Ham creates a richly imaginative world where magic shapes everyday life, while grounding the story in Sparrow’s relatable struggle with self-doubt and belonging. The magical academy setting, intriguing mystery involving disappearing powers, and strong themes of friendship and resilience make the novel both exciting and emotionally rewarding. The illustrations add warmth and atmosphere, enhancing an already immersive reading experience.
Overall, it’s a valuable read for fans of middle grade fantasy, magical school stories, adventure fiction, friendship-centered narratives, illustrated novels, coming-of-age tales, fantasy mysteries, and young readers who enjoy stories about courage, perseverance, and discovering their unique strengths.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
*Thanks to Edelweiss and Scholastic for the DRC*
Fun and engaging magical academy fiction, this is a book that fans of Harry Potter and Avatar The Last Airbender will enjoy. The illustrations are really nice and add a lot to key moments and help us visualize Sparrow and her world. The magic system is simple and easy to grasp, and the mystery element of the book will keep readers turning pages. The writing and characterization were the biggest weaknesses of the book, especially dialogue. Several moments lean on cliches too heavily which blunt the impact of otherwise strong parts of the story. Many of the side characters also wind up feeling flat. But those quibbles aside, this is strong middle-grade fiction with some wonderful illustrations. 3.5 stars round up to 4.
Fun and engaging magical academy fiction, this is a book that fans of Harry Potter and Avatar The Last Airbender will enjoy. The illustrations are really nice and add a lot to key moments and help us visualize Sparrow and her world. The magic system is simple and easy to grasp, and the mystery element of the book will keep readers turning pages. The writing and characterization were the biggest weaknesses of the book, especially dialogue. Several moments lean on cliches too heavily which blunt the impact of otherwise strong parts of the story. Many of the side characters also wind up feeling flat. But those quibbles aside, this is strong middle-grade fiction with some wonderful illustrations. 3.5 stars round up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is an ARC from the publisher, sent to Barnes and Noble.
Books set at magic schools will forever have the ghost of Hogwarts lurking, but this sets itself apart in several ways. Only kids have magic. Magic fades as they age, but is still used in many aspects of society, so the adults seem to manage the use while kids supply the power. What happens when an illness drains magic? Sparrow and her friends search to discover what is causing the sickness while grappling with all the uncertainties of being a teenager, including popularity, family expectations, sibling rivalry, and general belief that they will never be good enough.
Books set at magic schools will forever have the ghost of Hogwarts lurking, but this sets itself apart in several ways. Only kids have magic. Magic fades as they age, but is still used in many aspects of society, so the adults seem to manage the use while kids supply the power. What happens when an illness drains magic? Sparrow and her friends search to discover what is causing the sickness while grappling with all the uncertainties of being a teenager, including popularity, family expectations, sibling rivalry, and general belief that they will never be good enough.
June 24, 2026
I'm in my 60s, and still reeling from a childhood where "the currency to earn love was...achievement," so The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia really resonated. The book started a little slow, but grew exponentially. While a magic book, it's real magic is in the character development. Ham never allows Sparrow to indulge herself in a victimhood mentality. Instead, Sparrow is allowed a full spectrum of emotions and motivations. Even the more favored children are flushed out and given room to grow...or choose otherwise. I love the layers of emotions that Sparrow felt for her mother at the end. The beautiful illustrations did much to support the storytelling.
November 16, 2025
I enjoyed this book a lot! This is a great story about friendship, loyalty, and family, as a girl struggles to find her fit in her magical world in the shadow of her powerful older brother. The characters are easy to care about, and I enjoyed seeing them develop throughout the book. The illustrations really added a lot of depth to the story and helped me visualize the characters and scenes. I look forward to reading the next book in this series! Highly recommended for middle-grades readers interested in magical fantasy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital ARC.
July 6, 2026
This was such a wholesome read. It gave me major Hogwarts vibes with its magical school setting, friendships, and the mystery surrounding the disappearing magic, which made it a really fun adventure.
The illustrations were absolutely beautiful and added so much charm to the story. They made the world feel warm, cozy, and full of magic.
Overall, this was a sweet middle grade fantasy with a lovable cast and an enchanting atmosphere. If you’re looking for a cozy magical school story with gorgeous artwork, this is definitely worth picking up.
The illustrations were absolutely beautiful and added so much charm to the story. They made the world feel warm, cozy, and full of magic.
Overall, this was a sweet middle grade fantasy with a lovable cast and an enchanting atmosphere. If you’re looking for a cozy magical school story with gorgeous artwork, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy
Honestly, I loved this. I have a love for illustrated novels in general because I think they bridge an unspoken gap in the literature world. I love the characters, and I love how, while there wasn't much growth in the characters themselves, there is a wonderful setup for growth in the series, and that alone makes me stoked to continue this series.
May 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a magical, exhilarating middle-grade fantasy.
I absolutely adored this one. From the first page, Leia Ham swept me away with her whimsical, witty, and immersive prose. The world-building was lush and creative, and the magic system was spectacular. The characters were vivid and compelling, and I loved the exploration of friendship and family. Ham’s illustrations captivated me, and they brilliantly enhanced the rich character and world development. The plot was propulsive, and the pacing fit the story beautifully. I cannot wait for the next adventure with Sparrow!
Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy!
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is a magical, exhilarating middle-grade fantasy.
I absolutely adored this one. From the first page, Leia Ham swept me away with her whimsical, witty, and immersive prose. The world-building was lush and creative, and the magic system was spectacular. The characters were vivid and compelling, and I loved the exploration of friendship and family. Ham’s illustrations captivated me, and they brilliantly enhanced the rich character and world development. The plot was propulsive, and the pacing fit the story beautifully. I cannot wait for the next adventure with Sparrow!
Thank you to the publisher for the free review copy!
July 27, 2025
wow i actually cannot wait for this to be officially published. AMAZING.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A fast paced mystery at a magical boarding school. Very enjoyable with good setup for book 2. The illustrations are lovely and serve as useful character building which is absent in the text.
April 19, 2026
3.5 stars. ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. (To come.)
May 8, 2026
Very charming and lovely. The illustrations are incredible and really add to an already very good story. Middle Grade stories are not usually my thing but this one really won me over !
May 27, 2026
Thank you to Scholastic Books for the gifted ARC.
I was surprisingly sucked into the mystery in this story. Fun fact: I had like 10-20 pages left and I had to go to work…so I brought it with me and read while I was waiting for my computer to log in.
Relatively easy world building, where most magic is based on elements. And I liked that we still have questions at the end (frankly, the same questions the characters have too!), instead of everything getting totally wrapped up and fixed.
The characters were fun, although there were quite a few of them and some had better development than others. But overall, this was an entertaining middle grade academic fantasy read, with really good illustrations. In fact, I think reading this in physical form is the best way to read—you don’t want to miss out on the art!
I was surprisingly sucked into the mystery in this story. Fun fact: I had like 10-20 pages left and I had to go to work…so I brought it with me and read while I was waiting for my computer to log in.
Relatively easy world building, where most magic is based on elements. And I liked that we still have questions at the end (frankly, the same questions the characters have too!), instead of everything getting totally wrapped up and fixed.
The characters were fun, although there were quite a few of them and some had better development than others. But overall, this was an entertaining middle grade academic fantasy read, with really good illustrations. In fact, I think reading this in physical form is the best way to read—you don’t want to miss out on the art!
June 1, 2026
So so so so so so so good.
June 2, 2026
Not bad, but not anything that I haven't read multiple times before. I may or may not read the next one.
I did like that it was illustrated.
I did like that it was illustrated.
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