What do you think?
Rate this book
Kelcie Murphy #1
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie.
The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.
A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.
When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.
But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.
The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.
A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.
When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.
But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2022
33 people are currently reading
8173 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
October 13, 2021
Four things guaranteed to make me feel better when I am sick:
1. Copious mugs of tea
2. Steaming hot baths
3. Mid-day naps
4. Fantastical middle grade stories exactly like this one.
This incorporated everything I desire from a fantasy story and the fact that it was aimed towards a younger age range only meant events managed to be both perilous and dangerous whilst also containing an adorable cast of characters and a whimsical edge to all proceedings.
The magical, academic setting was fun to explore and the trials that took place, over the course of the book, opened up the magical world, the magic system inside of it, and more of Kelcie Murphy's abilities. I'm eager to see where book two will take her.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Erika Lewis, and the publisher, Starscape Books, for this opportunity.
1. Copious mugs of tea
2. Steaming hot baths
3. Mid-day naps
4. Fantastical middle grade stories exactly like this one.
This incorporated everything I desire from a fantasy story and the fact that it was aimed towards a younger age range only meant events managed to be both perilous and dangerous whilst also containing an adorable cast of characters and a whimsical edge to all proceedings.
The magical, academic setting was fun to explore and the trials that took place, over the course of the book, opened up the magical world, the magic system inside of it, and more of Kelcie Murphy's abilities. I'm eager to see where book two will take her.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Erika Lewis, and the publisher, Starscape Books, for this opportunity.
March 1, 2022
WHAT A PHENOMENAL BOOK! When they say for fans for The School for Good & Evil-they knew what they were talking about. If the rest of this series continues like this 1st book, this will be up there with that series-which is my favorite of all time. Also, where it says for fans of HP, if Harry went to Slytherin? On point! I’ve been reading some incredible books lately-even more incredible than usual. I tried to drag this out longer, because I didn’t want to be done lol. But the other night I stayed up an hour passed the usual time I stop reading to finish this-there was NO way I could stop with everything happening lol.
This story was built up & unfolded at the perfect pace. You’re hooked from the start, & once the school came into the picture, I was engrossed so fully I forgot to start supper 1 day.😆I’m so impressed by this authors writing & overall talent at telling a great story. So many creative fascinating details that go into this story-like summer & winter, the fairies, the school itself & everything about it, the different Dens & what each can do, the trees, the necklaces, the construction trolls lol, spriggans..just to name a few! Not to mention Kelcie herself! What she can do, her backstory, what we learn..Plus, this world with the Queen & the eye & THAT whole backstory!
SUPERB characters! I loved them SOOOOOO much! I miss them already. Kelcie & her fianna(team)at school are the best. They are each from different Dens, so each have different abilities. They are Kelcie’s “found family”, & I’m so glad she found this school & these amazing kids. Kelcie is a tough cookie, & I loved seeing her character growth. Brona is tough, smart, proud, & determined. Little bit of a know it all, lol, but it’s hard not to love her. Zephyr is the team leader, & his humor is on point! He has some of the best 1 liners & comebacks ever! I laughed so hard. Niall, oh Niall. Kelcie’s 1st friend. Such a sweet soul, who has also been through some very tough times. I loved watching his & Kelcie’s bond grow, & they are just the absolute cutest. There’s a line on page 261 that Kelcie thinks to herself, that is just beautiful. He doesn’t let anything stop him from doing what had to be done. Striker, of course, has my heart.
How it all came together in the end, & the twists! Ughhh so good! So much action, danger, suspense, & the ultimate mix of mythology & magic. Vivid world building, & just the best writing PERIOD. There’s also a glossary in the back of you need to reference, but I didn’t really need to-the author does an amazing job at spacing out everything & not info dumping in 1 big glob lol Perfection. I NEED MORE! I hope this is a LONG series! Lol HIGHLY recommend! STUNNING cover by Yuta Onoda too!💜
This story was built up & unfolded at the perfect pace. You’re hooked from the start, & once the school came into the picture, I was engrossed so fully I forgot to start supper 1 day.😆I’m so impressed by this authors writing & overall talent at telling a great story. So many creative fascinating details that go into this story-like summer & winter, the fairies, the school itself & everything about it, the different Dens & what each can do, the trees, the necklaces, the construction trolls lol, spriggans..just to name a few! Not to mention Kelcie herself! What she can do, her backstory, what we learn..Plus, this world with the Queen & the eye & THAT whole backstory!
SUPERB characters! I loved them SOOOOOO much! I miss them already. Kelcie & her fianna(team)at school are the best. They are each from different Dens, so each have different abilities. They are Kelcie’s “found family”, & I’m so glad she found this school & these amazing kids. Kelcie is a tough cookie, & I loved seeing her character growth. Brona is tough, smart, proud, & determined. Little bit of a know it all, lol, but it’s hard not to love her. Zephyr is the team leader, & his humor is on point! He has some of the best 1 liners & comebacks ever! I laughed so hard. Niall, oh Niall. Kelcie’s 1st friend. Such a sweet soul, who has also been through some very tough times. I loved watching his & Kelcie’s bond grow, & they are just the absolute cutest. There’s a line on page 261 that Kelcie thinks to herself, that is just beautiful. He doesn’t let anything stop him from doing what had to be done. Striker, of course, has my heart.
How it all came together in the end, & the twists! Ughhh so good! So much action, danger, suspense, & the ultimate mix of mythology & magic. Vivid world building, & just the best writing PERIOD. There’s also a glossary in the back of you need to reference, but I didn’t really need to-the author does an amazing job at spacing out everything & not info dumping in 1 big glob lol Perfection. I NEED MORE! I hope this is a LONG series! Lol HIGHLY recommend! STUNNING cover by Yuta Onoda too!💜
March 18, 2022
I really liked this! I liked the twist on the normal chosen one trope where she is destined to be on the dark side of magic. I liked the magic system and the way magic was used. I liked the characters a lot and how the school worked. I’m excited to read the next one! This is a solid middle grade fantasy!
*Huge thanks to the publisher for an early copy to read!
*Huge thanks to the publisher for an early copy to read!
February 3, 2022
The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy--a foster child raised in the human world--is dying to attend.
A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and--most importantly--finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.
When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she's a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.
But Kelcie is a survivor, and she'll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.
I absolutely loved this novel which narrates the story of Kelcie Murphy, renegade foster kid and closet magical Saiga.
Lewis has created The Otherworld, a place brimming with magic and adventure but also danger and mystery where Murphy is navigating her way through trying to develop and control her powers, solve the mystery of her parents’ abandonment and not get kicked out of AUA.
Adventure and mayhem, friendship and humour all topped off with an epic battle between good vs evil; this story had me unable to flick the pages quick enough to see what happened next and if Kelcie and her band of mismatched, magical mates won the war and graduated from their first year at the academy successfully with all limbs intact (if you know you know).
A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and--most importantly--finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.
When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she's a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.
But Kelcie is a survivor, and she'll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.
I absolutely loved this novel which narrates the story of Kelcie Murphy, renegade foster kid and closet magical Saiga.
Lewis has created The Otherworld, a place brimming with magic and adventure but also danger and mystery where Murphy is navigating her way through trying to develop and control her powers, solve the mystery of her parents’ abandonment and not get kicked out of AUA.
Adventure and mayhem, friendship and humour all topped off with an epic battle between good vs evil; this story had me unable to flick the pages quick enough to see what happened next and if Kelcie and her band of mismatched, magical mates won the war and graduated from their first year at the academy successfully with all limbs intact (if you know you know).
March 30, 2022
This book had such a cool premise and the potential to be the start of an epic middle-grade fantasy, but... The writing fell sooooo short of my expectations. Didn't read like a properly-edited book at all, which you'd expect from a traditionally published novel.
I'm just very disappointed about that aspect... Otherwise, the characters and world would've been great. Overall, this book was just ruined by the bad writing. It's hard to recommend because of it.
I'm just very disappointed about that aspect... Otherwise, the characters and world would've been great. Overall, this book was just ruined by the bad writing. It's hard to recommend because of it.
July 27, 2021
I am very particular about my sleep, so it is the highest compliment that I can offer when I say I stayed up waaaay past my bedtime reading this book for several nights in a row.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts grabbed me from the very first chapter and never lets me go. Erika Lewis is one of the best writers of action that I've read in a long time and almost every scene kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson, School for Good and Evil, and Keeper of the Lost Cities series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Thank you to the author and publisher for access to an early copy of this book.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts grabbed me from the very first chapter and never lets me go. Erika Lewis is one of the best writers of action that I've read in a long time and almost every scene kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson, School for Good and Evil, and Keeper of the Lost Cities series. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Thank you to the author and publisher for access to an early copy of this book.
January 21, 2022
Thank you to the publisher Starscape for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
I generally don’t think it’s fair to a book when it’s pitched for fans of a specific series because it immediately sets expectations for a work that should stand on its own. However, there’s really no better way to describe Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts other than a mashup of Keeper of the Lost Cities and a Celtic version of Percy Jackson. The opening scene on a school museum field trip where Kelcie watches a suspicious adult transform into a mythological creature and try and spirit away gave me such vivid flashbacks to my 12-year old self reading Percy Jackson. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave me with the same sense of wonder from experiencing this story for the first time.
Kelcie herself is a plucky protagonist who has lived her entire life believing herself to be human until this fateful day. She is then magically teleported to a new world where she hopes to find the truth about her parents that abandoned her as a child. If that sounds familiar, she’s Sophie Foster to a tee - and has a matching set of multiple powers that haven’t been seen at the Academy in centuries. I’d hesitate more to make this comparison if it wasn’t so glaringly obvious.
I was intrigued by the premise of Celtic mythology being used in a middle grade fantasy setting, and I do think this lore is what sets Kelcie Murphy apart from every other series in the same genre. But I don’t think this mythology was really fleshed out enough for me to believe in this world. This was largely the result of spending almost the entirety of the novel at the campus of the School for Unbreakable Arts. It makes the world seem very small, especially when I never felt like I had a very clear grasp of setting or even the hard lines of the magic system itself. Instead, more page time was spent in training and battle sequences happening inside (used loosely) the classroom. I did appreciate Kelcie’s small found family group that she forms during her time at the Academy, especially her friendship with Brona. I am always a sucker for friendship that starts on rocky grounds that resolves into a true bond, especially in middle grade fiction where female friendships never seem to take center stage in order to let the protagonist herself shine.
Ultimately, the target demographic of this work may have a better time with Kelcie Murphy if they are looking for a largely plot-driven, action-filled fantasy romp. I personally wish this book had a little more to distinguish it from other middle grade works that have taken these tropes and done them better, but still had a good enough time with it. I don’t think the story will connect with adults looking to capture some of the magic of their own nostalgia around similar stories, but perhaps a new group of younger readers may fare better.
I generally don’t think it’s fair to a book when it’s pitched for fans of a specific series because it immediately sets expectations for a work that should stand on its own. However, there’s really no better way to describe Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts other than a mashup of Keeper of the Lost Cities and a Celtic version of Percy Jackson. The opening scene on a school museum field trip where Kelcie watches a suspicious adult transform into a mythological creature and try and spirit away gave me such vivid flashbacks to my 12-year old self reading Percy Jackson. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave me with the same sense of wonder from experiencing this story for the first time.
Kelcie herself is a plucky protagonist who has lived her entire life believing herself to be human until this fateful day. She is then magically teleported to a new world where she hopes to find the truth about her parents that abandoned her as a child. If that sounds familiar, she’s Sophie Foster to a tee - and has a matching set of multiple powers that haven’t been seen at the Academy in centuries. I’d hesitate more to make this comparison if it wasn’t so glaringly obvious.
I was intrigued by the premise of Celtic mythology being used in a middle grade fantasy setting, and I do think this lore is what sets Kelcie Murphy apart from every other series in the same genre. But I don’t think this mythology was really fleshed out enough for me to believe in this world. This was largely the result of spending almost the entirety of the novel at the campus of the School for Unbreakable Arts. It makes the world seem very small, especially when I never felt like I had a very clear grasp of setting or even the hard lines of the magic system itself. Instead, more page time was spent in training and battle sequences happening inside (used loosely) the classroom. I did appreciate Kelcie’s small found family group that she forms during her time at the Academy, especially her friendship with Brona. I am always a sucker for friendship that starts on rocky grounds that resolves into a true bond, especially in middle grade fiction where female friendships never seem to take center stage in order to let the protagonist herself shine.
Ultimately, the target demographic of this work may have a better time with Kelcie Murphy if they are looking for a largely plot-driven, action-filled fantasy romp. I personally wish this book had a little more to distinguish it from other middle grade works that have taken these tropes and done them better, but still had a good enough time with it. I don’t think the story will connect with adults looking to capture some of the magic of their own nostalgia around similar stories, but perhaps a new group of younger readers may fare better.
October 26, 2021
One moment, Kelcie Murphy is an emotionally isolated orphan on a terrible field trip with kids who she's sure will eventually ostracize her, and the next, she is caught up in a bizarre faerie-magic ritual that unleashes a power she doesn't understand. In the midst of chasing answers, she ends up transported via a mystical tree network to The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts, where five dens of students compete for their right to stay as they develop their fighting skills and magical abilities.
It's all new to Kelcie, who once again feels like an outsider, but as she learns the secrets of unlocking and using her elemental powers, she also finds a way to be vulnerable and bring out the trust in her classmates, even when it turns out she's the daughter of the most reviled prisoner in the realm. The question is whether she can unlock her own past before she unlocks a slumbering weapon that could destroy the entire school... and so much more.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts doesn't do anything halfway. The action is intense and the magic is enthralling, where the emotional highs and lows are astounding. This debut has the arcane potency of Harry Potter, the action and bloodlines of Percy Jackson, and originality of a homebrew D&D campaign. Readers are going to love Kelcie and her friends for pages and sequels to come.
It's all new to Kelcie, who once again feels like an outsider, but as she learns the secrets of unlocking and using her elemental powers, she also finds a way to be vulnerable and bring out the trust in her classmates, even when it turns out she's the daughter of the most reviled prisoner in the realm. The question is whether she can unlock her own past before she unlocks a slumbering weapon that could destroy the entire school... and so much more.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts doesn't do anything halfway. The action is intense and the magic is enthralling, where the emotional highs and lows are astounding. This debut has the arcane potency of Harry Potter, the action and bloodlines of Percy Jackson, and originality of a homebrew D&D campaign. Readers are going to love Kelcie and her friends for pages and sequels to come.
March 13, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Megan Beatie Communications, Olivia Haase, Netgalley, and Starscape Books for this free copy.
Full review on my blog.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a stunning series-starter that is sure to entertain every lover of fantasy, adventure, and magical schools. Armed with an array of Celtic mythical beings, some great friendships and loads of adventure, it is impossible for this book to not entertain its readers. There is a character that everyone could relate to, and many that readers would be vouching for. Make sure you pick this up if you love Celtic mythology, Percy Jackson, or fantasy adventures!
Full review on my blog.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a stunning series-starter that is sure to entertain every lover of fantasy, adventure, and magical schools. Armed with an array of Celtic mythical beings, some great friendships and loads of adventure, it is impossible for this book to not entertain its readers. There is a character that everyone could relate to, and many that readers would be vouching for. Make sure you pick this up if you love Celtic mythology, Percy Jackson, or fantasy adventures!
March 3, 2022
Thank you for the arc copy. I liked this book. The strongest point was for.me the characters. They Were diverse and strong and complimented each other. I liked the Quest and the story. It was very magical. But i kept comparing it to Harry Potter. Thank you to netgalley for this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion
April 13, 2022
Kelcie Murphy cannot remember anything before the day she nearly drowned four years ago, except her name. She's spent the years in between bouncing from one group/foster home to another in the Northeast, one bad experience to another, only ever able to rely on her caseworker Elliott Blizzard. Her latest placement is shaping up to be more of the same, until at a museum outing with school a stranger shows up with Elliott. Elliott and the stranger take Kelcie down into the basement, where the stranger sprouts ice wings and they force her to repeat some strange words while touching a box. Words that alarmingly, Kelcie understands: Ta Erfin. Vlast mian I am the heir. The power is mine.
From that moment her life as she knows it is upturned, and she is shooting along inside a giant root to come out at a strange, magical school in another world. To get into this school, the Academy for Unbreakable Arts, she must show proof of having magic. To claim her place and maybe learn who her parents are, she must promise to serve in the army of the Lands of Summer in their war against the Lands of Winter after graduation. To survive AUA, she must access the magic within her. To protect her newfound friends, she must learn how to harness her powerful magic and also learn to trust her new friends and teachers as much as she had had to learn to rely on only herself.
The story moves along quickly, and as the story progresses, Kelcie is just as likely to keep information to herself as to share it with at least her fianna (group mates) if not also Scáthach, the school's principal/headmistress. Kelcie is spunky and street-smart, not all of which is helpful in these strange Lands of Summer. She does a fair amount of growing as the story progresses, and in typical twelve-year-old fashion, is not always predictable in the ways she reacts to different situations. She has had to trust only herself (and Elliott Blizzard) for so long that she is not sure what to make of Niall, Zephyr, and even Brona, and how much she can - or should - trust them. It is hard to trust after one too many betrayals. She wants to trust her fianna. Kelcie finds it easiest to trust Niall, and most difficult to trust Brona, who seems to have something against her. Zephyr is their assigned leader, and steps into the role quite fully. Then there's the question of trusting Roswen and Scáthach, the main adults in the story, when so many adults have failed Kelcie so often, so completely, and for so long.
I could definitely feel the Harry Potter/boarding school influence in this entire story, right down to how the students are sorted into dorms based on what type of magic they have: Adder, Charger, Raven, and Saiga. Not to mention how access to the dorms works, and even an influence in how they travel by Sidral with their boughs. Then there's some of the teachers/adults on campus, like Roswen (similar to Filch) and Madame Le Deux (similar to Trelawney), and I couldn't help but notice a few too many similarities to the HP books. Where it diverges the most, I'd say, is that Kelcie does actually listen to her teachers and especially Scáthach considerably more, which was a nice change of pace.
I'd say what bothered me the most was the world-building, or haphazard nature of it. I never got a feel for what made the Lands of Summer so different from the human world, other than a few references Kelcie made that her fianna didn't get. Of course, barring the obvious that it is a different world, and one in eternal summer. Even the connection between the Lands of Summer and the human world were confusing - I wasn't sure how much Summerfolk knew about the human world, because they seemed to know some things but not others, nor was it clear how much interaction there actually was between the two worlds, or even how/why they are connected. It'd be easy to compare that to the inconsistencies in HP about how the wizard world and muggle worlds interact/overlap.
Overall the story keeps moving, there's some solid friendship and trust built in, a good antagonist for Kelcie to go up against and learn more about, and Kelcie herself has some dimension to her. I do like how Kelcie slowly makes discoveries about herself, the voice, and her powers, and there is definitely room for this to extend to a second novel (especially with some of those reveals at the end!) at least while still standing quite well on its own.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my rating or review.
Typos:
I checked what I had found against the final published copy, and these were the ones that remained of those.
From that moment her life as she knows it is upturned, and she is shooting along inside a giant root to come out at a strange, magical school in another world. To get into this school, the Academy for Unbreakable Arts, she must show proof of having magic. To claim her place and maybe learn who her parents are, she must promise to serve in the army of the Lands of Summer in their war against the Lands of Winter after graduation. To survive AUA, she must access the magic within her. To protect her newfound friends, she must learn how to harness her powerful magic and also learn to trust her new friends and teachers as much as she had had to learn to rely on only herself.
The story moves along quickly, and as the story progresses, Kelcie is just as likely to keep information to herself as to share it with at least her fianna (group mates) if not also Scáthach, the school's principal/headmistress. Kelcie is spunky and street-smart, not all of which is helpful in these strange Lands of Summer. She does a fair amount of growing as the story progresses, and in typical twelve-year-old fashion, is not always predictable in the ways she reacts to different situations. She has had to trust only herself (and Elliott Blizzard) for so long that she is not sure what to make of Niall, Zephyr, and even Brona, and how much she can - or should - trust them. It is hard to trust after one too many betrayals. She wants to trust her fianna. Kelcie finds it easiest to trust Niall, and most difficult to trust Brona, who seems to have something against her. Zephyr is their assigned leader, and steps into the role quite fully. Then there's the question of trusting Roswen and Scáthach, the main adults in the story, when so many adults have failed Kelcie so often, so completely, and for so long.
I could definitely feel the Harry Potter/boarding school influence in this entire story, right down to how the students are sorted into dorms based on what type of magic they have: Adder, Charger, Raven, and Saiga. Not to mention how access to the dorms works, and even an influence in how they travel by Sidral with their boughs. Then there's some of the teachers/adults on campus, like Roswen (similar to Filch) and Madame Le Deux (similar to Trelawney), and I couldn't help but notice a few too many similarities to the HP books. Where it diverges the most, I'd say, is that Kelcie does actually listen to her teachers and especially Scáthach considerably more, which was a nice change of pace.
I'd say what bothered me the most was the world-building, or haphazard nature of it. I never got a feel for what made the Lands of Summer so different from the human world, other than a few references Kelcie made that her fianna didn't get. Of course, barring the obvious that it is a different world, and one in eternal summer. Even the connection between the Lands of Summer and the human world were confusing - I wasn't sure how much Summerfolk knew about the human world, because they seemed to know some things but not others, nor was it clear how much interaction there actually was between the two worlds, or even how/why they are connected. It'd be easy to compare that to the inconsistencies in HP about how the wizard world and muggle worlds interact/overlap.
Overall the story keeps moving, there's some solid friendship and trust built in, a good antagonist for Kelcie to go up against and learn more about, and Kelcie herself has some dimension to her. I do like how Kelcie slowly makes discoveries about herself, the voice, and her powers, and there is definitely room for this to extend to a second novel (especially with some of those reveals at the end!) at least while still standing quite well on its own.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This has not affected my rating or review.
Typos:
I checked what I had found against the final published copy, and these were the ones that remained of those.
December 23, 2021
I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts follows the same magical school tradition as Harry Potter, but manages to deliver some new twists and worldbuilding in a world that draws on Celtic mythology. Kelcie has been passed around in foster care around Boston for years. Her current case agent isn't the best, but she's a bit surprised when he turns out to be a fairy and forces her to touch an artifact in a museum--and from there, things get even weirder, as her necklace ends up being a key to a teleportation-tree. She's dropped at a magical school on the first day of a new term, and by the obliviousness of adults and her own wits, gets herself enrolled. There, not only are her magical powers revealed, but the truth about her family and her past.
At the start, the plot felt too contrived. Kelcie had a great, fierce attitude, but not much agency. Gradually, though, her take-charge spirit began to actually take charge. This is very much a cozy read. I don't mind terribly that some of the major twists were a bit obvious. They were still fun! I enjoyed Kelcie as a character, and the friendships she develops with other kids are wonderful. At heart, this is a fun, immersive frolic, and a great set-up for more books.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts follows the same magical school tradition as Harry Potter, but manages to deliver some new twists and worldbuilding in a world that draws on Celtic mythology. Kelcie has been passed around in foster care around Boston for years. Her current case agent isn't the best, but she's a bit surprised when he turns out to be a fairy and forces her to touch an artifact in a museum--and from there, things get even weirder, as her necklace ends up being a key to a teleportation-tree. She's dropped at a magical school on the first day of a new term, and by the obliviousness of adults and her own wits, gets herself enrolled. There, not only are her magical powers revealed, but the truth about her family and her past.
At the start, the plot felt too contrived. Kelcie had a great, fierce attitude, but not much agency. Gradually, though, her take-charge spirit began to actually take charge. This is very much a cozy read. I don't mind terribly that some of the major twists were a bit obvious. They were still fun! I enjoyed Kelcie as a character, and the friendships she develops with other kids are wonderful. At heart, this is a fun, immersive frolic, and a great set-up for more books.
May 6, 2024
I felt very conflicted over this book. As it went further it got better to an extent, but I am still not sure if it is a series I would want to continue or not. It is a book that fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson would enjoy yes.
That being said, and here come some spoilers but really only for the first few chapters. The book started out very much like Percy Jackson. Kelcie who doesn't know who her parents are (okay Percy only didn't know one parent but still) is on her way to a museum for a class trip. She gets kidnapped while on the field trip by at least one adult she has a relationship with (her case worker), and he and the other adult turn out to not be what they seem (a fairy which in this series is bad-hi Percy Jackson's fury teacher). So then Kelcie ends up entering this other world where there are a bunch of kids her age. It turns out to be a school with several "houses" (my HP here), that are sorted based on skills of the students after going through a sorting trial (okay not as simple as a hat but).
So, additionally, Kelcie has suffered her whole life with headaches, as she goes through the trial and her powers are activated she is cured of these headaches (I'm seeing Percy Jackson's dyslexia because his brain is trying to read greek here).
Okay, so my little rant over, thankfully after this point it does start to differ and it really isn't a bad book. I think kids who are fans of Percy Jackson would absolutely enjoy the books, and possibly the series.
It was decently paced with great friendships being built, I love some of the plot twists, and yet there are some things that were completely logical in a way (no spoilers here). I loved the various challenges that the characters encounter, and realistically, the book had a very good and obvious structure.
I would probably recommend it, I just don't know if I would continue the series.
That being said, and here come some spoilers but really only for the first few chapters. The book started out very much like Percy Jackson. Kelcie who doesn't know who her parents are (okay Percy only didn't know one parent but still) is on her way to a museum for a class trip. She gets kidnapped while on the field trip by at least one adult she has a relationship with (her case worker), and he and the other adult turn out to not be what they seem (a fairy which in this series is bad-hi Percy Jackson's fury teacher). So then Kelcie ends up entering this other world where there are a bunch of kids her age. It turns out to be a school with several "houses" (my HP here), that are sorted based on skills of the students after going through a sorting trial (okay not as simple as a hat but).
So, additionally, Kelcie has suffered her whole life with headaches, as she goes through the trial and her powers are activated she is cured of these headaches (I'm seeing Percy Jackson's dyslexia because his brain is trying to read greek here).
Okay, so my little rant over, thankfully after this point it does start to differ and it really isn't a bad book. I think kids who are fans of Percy Jackson would absolutely enjoy the books, and possibly the series.
It was decently paced with great friendships being built, I love some of the plot twists, and yet there are some things that were completely logical in a way (no spoilers here). I loved the various challenges that the characters encounter, and realistically, the book had a very good and obvious structure.
I would probably recommend it, I just don't know if I would continue the series.
July 3, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
Many thanks to Starscape Books and JeanBookNerd for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
This book had me with Celtic mythology. It’s something I don’t see very often in middle grade, and I happen to love adventure/mythology middle grade, so it seemed to fit well. Plus, even if it’s been done so many times before, it’s hard to resist the magic school setting and the nostalgia it always triggers in me!
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts plunges the reader headlong into a world full of magic and danger based on Celtic mythology. You will absolutely fall for this squad of characters and their struggle to find a place they can belong!
There were moments I felt like this book slowed down a bit and dragged a little, and the big fight at the end resolved a little easily, but I had a lot of fun with this book anyway. I was caught by surprise by a couple plot twists, which is always fun. The characters is where this book really shines! I absolutely loved Kelcie’s little squad, their varied personalities, and the way they banter and joke. I can’t wait to have more adventures with this group.
My Thoughts
- Kelcie Murphy is such a relatable character as she stumbles her way through this chaotic world she was so rudely thrust into. What I really enjoyed about Kelcie is that she didn’t always do the logical thing (what kid ever does?!) or she sometimes makes silly decisions, but her character is so true to how normal people would react in the situation, for the most part. I mean, what else would you do if someone just started throwing ice at you, and then you end up in a world filled with magic and strange creatures?! It’d be a bit jarring, to say the least.
Then, after an entire life of thinking otherwise, she learns she has magic! Okay, sure, she maybe destroys some school property in the meantime, but who wouldn’t get a little carried away with their powers in that situation? I mean, nothing exploded, so I feel like she’s already got a leg up on how I’d probably react. Kelcie’s struggle, while not particularly fun for her, was very relatable, and I enjoyed the chance to discover the world with her. Plus, all she really wants to know is the truth about who she is, and is that not the most relatable desire of all time? It’s impossible not to root for her on her quest to find out more about herself and where she comes from.
- The secondary characters are an absolute riot, each with their own personalities. They don’t always mesh smoothly, but they come through when it really matters. Which is all that matters, right? There are a lot of characters in this book, which can sometimes make it difficult to keep track of everyone. That being said, each character had their own distinct personality, and it was a pleasure when they all came together and interacted. The other students in Kelcie’s house were delightful, and while still being supportive of her, they definitely took the chance to tease her when it arose.
Kelcie also has the three other students in her fianna, which is her fighting group. There’s one student from each house in the fianna, and they all bring their unique talents, but also their unique struggles. The leader is learning how to lead . . . and phew, let me say, he’s got his work cut out for him with this squad. Then there’s the warrior princess who has it all together on the surface but is definitely more than she seems. Even though she’s still a total badass, either way.
Don’t get me wrong, the fianna doesn’t always get along. How boring would that be? As Kelcie is learning and growing as herself, she’s also making connections with her peers and learning how to trust others. It isn’t always easy, but this group has to figure out how to come together to be an actual squad, and it’s delightful when they start to click.
- One of the secondary characters, Niall, was born without a hand, and he faces a lot of struggles from people counting him out or assuming he can’t do what everyone else can. Not that he’s going to let that stop him. And not that it matters to his fianna. Disability rep is growing in prevalence, but you still don’t see too many people missing limbs in fantasy, so I think the inclusion of Niall is super important. Especially because, despite missing a hand, he’s a core hero in this story and does some pretty amazing things. Yes, there are challenges he faces that are unique to his situation (like rope climbs!), but the point is he isn’t alone. He’s got a team that’s got his back. His uniqueness is their strength. Positive representation like this is so important, and Niall is a great character for it.
Niall isn’t just the “disability rep character,” either. He’s got so much depth and personality! While he doesn’t talk about his family much, it’s apparent that his family life is a bit complicated and he doesn’t always agree with his parents (and what kid does?!). He’s also caring and thoughtful and supportive of his teammates. Plus, his magic? Pretty awesome, not gonna lie. There’s also a teensy budding romance between him and Kelcie in a sort of baby crush middle grade way that was super adorable.
- This world is absolutely bonkers, and I absolutely love it! It’s full of danger and magic and I never knew what to expect to appear next. I mean, it starts with ice faeries, so I feel like it pretty well prepares the reader to expect something grand. Boy does Lewis deliver on that! This world is freaking awesome. I had no idea what the Otherworld would be like, other than magic and danger of course, but gosh, the different types of creatures there are super fun! I won’t talk too much about them, because the element of surprise is one thing that I loved about it so much. Rest assured, a visit to the Otherworld is definitely worth it, and I can’t wait to go back there in the next book. They even have Wolfbane that actually howls and very likely might attempt to eat you. If the plants are like that, imagine what the creatures are like!
Many thanks to Starscape Books and JeanBookNerd for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
This book had me with Celtic mythology. It’s something I don’t see very often in middle grade, and I happen to love adventure/mythology middle grade, so it seemed to fit well. Plus, even if it’s been done so many times before, it’s hard to resist the magic school setting and the nostalgia it always triggers in me!
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts plunges the reader headlong into a world full of magic and danger based on Celtic mythology. You will absolutely fall for this squad of characters and their struggle to find a place they can belong!
There were moments I felt like this book slowed down a bit and dragged a little, and the big fight at the end resolved a little easily, but I had a lot of fun with this book anyway. I was caught by surprise by a couple plot twists, which is always fun. The characters is where this book really shines! I absolutely loved Kelcie’s little squad, their varied personalities, and the way they banter and joke. I can’t wait to have more adventures with this group.
My Thoughts
- Kelcie Murphy is such a relatable character as she stumbles her way through this chaotic world she was so rudely thrust into. What I really enjoyed about Kelcie is that she didn’t always do the logical thing (what kid ever does?!) or she sometimes makes silly decisions, but her character is so true to how normal people would react in the situation, for the most part. I mean, what else would you do if someone just started throwing ice at you, and then you end up in a world filled with magic and strange creatures?! It’d be a bit jarring, to say the least.
Then, after an entire life of thinking otherwise, she learns she has magic! Okay, sure, she maybe destroys some school property in the meantime, but who wouldn’t get a little carried away with their powers in that situation? I mean, nothing exploded, so I feel like she’s already got a leg up on how I’d probably react. Kelcie’s struggle, while not particularly fun for her, was very relatable, and I enjoyed the chance to discover the world with her. Plus, all she really wants to know is the truth about who she is, and is that not the most relatable desire of all time? It’s impossible not to root for her on her quest to find out more about herself and where she comes from.
- The secondary characters are an absolute riot, each with their own personalities. They don’t always mesh smoothly, but they come through when it really matters. Which is all that matters, right? There are a lot of characters in this book, which can sometimes make it difficult to keep track of everyone. That being said, each character had their own distinct personality, and it was a pleasure when they all came together and interacted. The other students in Kelcie’s house were delightful, and while still being supportive of her, they definitely took the chance to tease her when it arose.
Kelcie also has the three other students in her fianna, which is her fighting group. There’s one student from each house in the fianna, and they all bring their unique talents, but also their unique struggles. The leader is learning how to lead . . . and phew, let me say, he’s got his work cut out for him with this squad. Then there’s the warrior princess who has it all together on the surface but is definitely more than she seems. Even though she’s still a total badass, either way.
Don’t get me wrong, the fianna doesn’t always get along. How boring would that be? As Kelcie is learning and growing as herself, she’s also making connections with her peers and learning how to trust others. It isn’t always easy, but this group has to figure out how to come together to be an actual squad, and it’s delightful when they start to click.
- One of the secondary characters, Niall, was born without a hand, and he faces a lot of struggles from people counting him out or assuming he can’t do what everyone else can. Not that he’s going to let that stop him. And not that it matters to his fianna. Disability rep is growing in prevalence, but you still don’t see too many people missing limbs in fantasy, so I think the inclusion of Niall is super important. Especially because, despite missing a hand, he’s a core hero in this story and does some pretty amazing things. Yes, there are challenges he faces that are unique to his situation (like rope climbs!), but the point is he isn’t alone. He’s got a team that’s got his back. His uniqueness is their strength. Positive representation like this is so important, and Niall is a great character for it.
Niall isn’t just the “disability rep character,” either. He’s got so much depth and personality! While he doesn’t talk about his family much, it’s apparent that his family life is a bit complicated and he doesn’t always agree with his parents (and what kid does?!). He’s also caring and thoughtful and supportive of his teammates. Plus, his magic? Pretty awesome, not gonna lie. There’s also a teensy budding romance between him and Kelcie in a sort of baby crush middle grade way that was super adorable.
- This world is absolutely bonkers, and I absolutely love it! It’s full of danger and magic and I never knew what to expect to appear next. I mean, it starts with ice faeries, so I feel like it pretty well prepares the reader to expect something grand. Boy does Lewis deliver on that! This world is freaking awesome. I had no idea what the Otherworld would be like, other than magic and danger of course, but gosh, the different types of creatures there are super fun! I won’t talk too much about them, because the element of surprise is one thing that I loved about it so much. Rest assured, a visit to the Otherworld is definitely worth it, and I can’t wait to go back there in the next book. They even have Wolfbane that actually howls and very likely might attempt to eat you. If the plants are like that, imagine what the creatures are like!
March 15, 2022
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is Erika Lewis's debut middle-grade novel. This is being marketed to those who love the School for Good & Evil, and they knew what they were talking about. Our main character has been jumped from crappy foster home to crappy foster home and trusts only her caseworker to do her best. Kelcie has no family memories, just her name; unfortunately, that caseworker turns out to be an evil winter fairy, and Kelcie is part of a magical world she knows nothing about. There is a lot to love for fans of fantasy- summer, winter courts, the fairies, the school, the different dens, magical powers, the trees, necklaces that allow you to travel, sprigging, and various magic creatures. I was hooked from the first page as we are along for Kelcie's first year at the Academy for Unbreakable arts. I am sure you want to check out the next year and what else it is for Erika Lewis to deliver in this beautiful, magical tale.
October 29, 2023
This book is really hard to review. When I first heard of it, I was so excited for what I hoped to be a Irish mythology version of Percy Jackson. This was not that book. The characters fell flat with little growth. I know this is a middle school novel, but in my opinion, it is only an enjoyable read for those in that age range. Kelcie was written as the stereotypical impulsive, rash tween who is naive and doesn't take anything into consideration. As a result, she was unrelatable and flat. The magic system was cool, but the mythology was absent. There were vague references to creatures from Irish/Celtic folklore, but they were surface level. There were plenty of opportunities to dive into Scáthach's backstory and/or Cú Chulainn but it didn't happen. Even the language use with the ancient language and "starting" words were far removed from the Celtic languages in my opinion. This book did not feel Irish, Scottish, Welsh, or anything of the sort. As a result, it felt, dare I say, misappropriated. There is talk of an eternal city but Tír na Nóg is missing. The story itself was fun and lighthearted, but there were inconsistencies and parts that did not make sense. Things happened too easily and Kelcie was never really pushed. Do not expect this to be Celtic Percy Jackson because it's not. Although, if anyone does know of a Celtic Percy Jackson, please let me know!
March 1, 2022
Abandoned as a small child, Kelcie Murphy has bounced from one foster home to another. She’s made no friends and has never really fit in. She lives in Boston, the only world she knows. Imagine her surprise when two fairies ambush her and cause all kinds of mayhem.
What a wonderful new fantasy for middle grade readers and above. Kelcie is such a fierce, determined girl fighting for her place in the world and yearning for a family. She has to learn to trust in herself and her friends and learn how to work with others to achieve her goals. It’s an amazing story filled with adventure and magic. Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will undoubtedly love this just like I did. 4.5 stars
What a wonderful new fantasy for middle grade readers and above. Kelcie is such a fierce, determined girl fighting for her place in the world and yearning for a family. She has to learn to trust in herself and her friends and learn how to work with others to achieve her goals. It’s an amazing story filled with adventure and magic. Fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson will undoubtedly love this just like I did. 4.5 stars
January 31, 2022
This book has all the elements that I love in a fantasy: a girl who is drawn into a magical world, meets new friends, attends an academy for magic, discovers new power, and finds herself in the center of an epic struggle against evil beings. Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for Unbreakable Arts weaves fascinating Celtic lore into this fast-paced, action-packed, imaginative adventure, as well as deeper themes of family and friendship ties. A winner all around!
April 3, 2022
This is the description for the book "Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie."
This description is not wrong; there was action, danger, and Celtic mythology. Kelcie is a kick a** character, that doesn't know her own history or powers. The adventure we all go on to find the answers was fantastic.
I cannot wait to read book 2 (no pressure Erika Lewis).
This description is not wrong; there was action, danger, and Celtic mythology. Kelcie is a kick a** character, that doesn't know her own history or powers. The adventure we all go on to find the answers was fantastic.
I cannot wait to read book 2 (no pressure Erika Lewis).
Read
May 8, 2022Don´t get me wrong, I really liked this book, but I always felt like something was missing while I was reading it. Kelcie is a good character and the plot is also full of potential, but I feel like the delivery of the story could´ve been done in a better way. The start and the end were strong, but the middle felt often times confusing. My favorite thing was the magic, that is certain! Nonetheless, I would still like to read this author´s future works!
December 8, 2024
At the start of this, the story was kind of interesting. But once I was about a third in, I got so bored. When i reached the climax i couldn’t care less what happened, and i guess that tells you a lot. The writing style wasn’t that good either, I came across several instances when i felt like the author just googled “synonyms for (word)” and used the fanciest, longest choice. And the word “orbs” used instead of “eyes” made me cringe so much. just. say. EYES!!!
January 25, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I really love all things magic,mystery, thrill, and wonder. This book had it all! I really liked it because it had a bunch of cool monsters and special powers. The characters were smart, funny, and entertaining. I recommend reading this book. Hank Keller, 11 years old. This is a recommendation from my grandson!
Read
March 17, 2022This was a fun fantasy based on Irish folklore/ mythology featuring another orphan with mysterious parents and magical powers.
May 16, 2024
Oh HELL YEAH! I have a new MG book obsession!
March 8, 2022
I was looking forward to this book because I usually enjoy MG books - especially those set at magic schools - and the synopsis looked like something I would love. However, I failed to connect with the main character at all. The book is very plot-based, which is fine, but the events zip along with no real weight to any of them. It just feels rushed.
I felt like I was reading a list of 'this happened then this happened then this happened' and while it should have all been very exciting it was just boring and implausible and didn't make a lot of sense. It also felt like it had been cobbled together from other MG magic school books and that was irritating. Like the beginning gave me major Percy Jackson vibes.
I can imagine liking this more if I were the target audience and hadn't been exposed to a lot of other books in the genre, but for me it was a disappointment.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Starscape for providing an e-arc for review.
I felt like I was reading a list of 'this happened then this happened then this happened' and while it should have all been very exciting it was just boring and implausible and didn't make a lot of sense. It also felt like it had been cobbled together from other MG magic school books and that was irritating. Like the beginning gave me major Percy Jackson vibes.
I can imagine liking this more if I were the target audience and hadn't been exposed to a lot of other books in the genre, but for me it was a disappointment.
*Thanks to NetGalley and Starscape for providing an e-arc for review.
May 30, 2022
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a fun start to a new middle grade series, and contains all my favorite elements.
Chosen one
Found family
Enemies to friends
Magical academy
Full of Celtic mythology, and memorable characters Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a great read and would recommend to anyone looking for a new middlegrade fantasy.
This is such a fun start to a new middle grade series, and contains all my favorite elements.
Chosen one
Found family
Enemies to friends
Magical academy
Full of Celtic mythology, and memorable characters Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a great read and would recommend to anyone looking for a new middlegrade fantasy.
February 22, 2022
BLOG|INSTAGRAM|TWITTER|YOUTUBE
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars, rounded up.
What a fantastic middle grade this was. Erika Lewis did a great job of pulling in from well-known and even lesser-known Celtic lore in this very akin to Percy Jackson story. While I do feel there were too many characters given too many names, Lewis also provided us a glossary in the back to help with that. The character development of our main character and her fiann was fantastically done. The turmoil of wanting to find out about your unknown family while wanting to protect your found family felt real to me. I adore Kelcie and the development of that friendship with Brona was everything.
This was genuinely one of the better middle grade stories I've read in quite some time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars, rounded up.
What a fantastic middle grade this was. Erika Lewis did a great job of pulling in from well-known and even lesser-known Celtic lore in this very akin to Percy Jackson story. While I do feel there were too many characters given too many names, Lewis also provided us a glossary in the back to help with that. The character development of our main character and her fiann was fantastically done. The turmoil of wanting to find out about your unknown family while wanting to protect your found family felt real to me. I adore Kelcie and the development of that friendship with Brona was everything.
This was genuinely one of the better middle grade stories I've read in quite some time.
February 27, 2022
Percy Jackson, if Percy was a girl (Kelcie) and the world was more Celtic than Greek. And a Hogwarts-esque school that is just a little bit more exclusive and bloody. I particularly loved that the Irish words were used without awkward translations (there is a glossary) and that this is going to be a series. Can't wait to share this with my readers.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
January 15, 2022
In this book we join Kelcie - a child raised in the human world, who after a rough meeting with a couple of magical individuals, gets transported to The Otherworld.
Here, Kelcie arrives at The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts where they train up youngsters with magical powers - and Kelcie realises that this is where she wants to be. With strong magical powers, Kelcie and her friends go through magical trials which test relationships and abilities.
I really enjoyed this book. To me, I would rate this at the older end of middle grade.
This was an action-packed middle grade. I liked the characters and the magical world created. The mythological references were great. Would very much recommend.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
Here, Kelcie arrives at The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts where they train up youngsters with magical powers - and Kelcie realises that this is where she wants to be. With strong magical powers, Kelcie and her friends go through magical trials which test relationships and abilities.
I really enjoyed this book. To me, I would rate this at the older end of middle grade.
This was an action-packed middle grade. I liked the characters and the magical world created. The mythological references were great. Would very much recommend.
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.
July 22, 2025
i'm really stuck on my rating for this book. on one hand, the world building is amazing, but on the other, i didn't love the fmc…
ok lets start with the positives. the world building in the book is incredible. i've never read an irish mythology retelling so this was a new experience and what an experience it was. erika lewis paints a beautiful picture of the otherworld and creates such a detailed and lush world. from the magic system to the creatures to the whole of the aua lewis truly creates a stunning world.
the main source of my conflicted feelings is our fmc. i just really didn't like kelcie's attitude, especially towards some of her classmates. having a mc with snark and attitude is sometimes great, but i just felt like kelcie was really petty and had a really short temper. that overall just annoyed me and it felt like she wasn't a relatable character.
i also didn't love lewis' writing style. at times things just felt forced and rushed and too fast paced. even the opening scene went straight into it and it was kinda jarring as a reader.
anyway ill wrap up my review with 3 stars. mainly cause there were multiple things i didn't like about this book. but i will be continuing the series because i like the world and the magic system within it!
↠ 3 ★’s
ok lets start with the positives. the world building in the book is incredible. i've never read an irish mythology retelling so this was a new experience and what an experience it was. erika lewis paints a beautiful picture of the otherworld and creates such a detailed and lush world. from the magic system to the creatures to the whole of the aua lewis truly creates a stunning world.
the main source of my conflicted feelings is our fmc. i just really didn't like kelcie's attitude, especially towards some of her classmates. having a mc with snark and attitude is sometimes great, but i just felt like kelcie was really petty and had a really short temper. that overall just annoyed me and it felt like she wasn't a relatable character.
i also didn't love lewis' writing style. at times things just felt forced and rushed and too fast paced. even the opening scene went straight into it and it was kinda jarring as a reader.
anyway ill wrap up my review with 3 stars. mainly cause there were multiple things i didn't like about this book. but i will be continuing the series because i like the world and the magic system within it!
↠ 3 ★’s
Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews