I read and adored the first book in the Younglings series last year, so I was excited to get my hands on the sequel and learn more about what Quinn and the gang have been getting up to. I definitely wasn’t disappointed! So what’s it about?
The story follows half demon Quinn and his gang of fellow ‘Younglings’, a supernatural crime fighting scooby gang made up of a half angel, a witch, a dhampir, a wolf shifter and a ghost. Having survived the misadventures of the first book, this novel sees the Younglings harnessing their powers, solving paranormal crimes, fighting off witch hunters, and evading vampires hell bent on getting Eve’s angel blood. On top of this, the gang are juggling college, relationships, mean girls and teenage drama!
This was such a fun read! There was never a dull moment with Quinn and the gang, and I loved how relatable they were as teenagers, despite their powers. The book is expertly narrated from Quinn’s point of view, as if he’s speaking directly to the reader. He’s a real sweetheart who would’ve sent my teenage self’s heart a-flutter, even if I did want to give him a shake on a few occasions with his obliviousness in his relationship with Eve.
I really liked how Quinn and the other male characters were strong both physically and emotionally, but weren’t afraid to show their vulnerability on occasion. This is a pleasant change from the often stereotypically ‘manly’ male fictional characters. I also enjoyed the diversity of the characters in the book, and as I read this during Pride month, it was great to see good representation for LGBT characters.
It was lovely catching up with the rest of the gang and seeing how their friendships and relationships are flourishing. I really enjoyed the ‘found family’ bond they have all formed and the part their parents (supernatural and otherwise) play in their lives by welcoming all of the children into their families. Without giving any spoilers, there are some new and intriguing additions to the group, and I can’t wait to learn more about them in book three.
The book ended with a satisfying finale, so we’re not left on a cliff edge until book 3 thankfully (!), but the epilogue whetted my appetite for the third installation that is out next year.
The Younglings: Fire & Magic is crammed full of fabulously diverse characters, drama, intrigue, excitement, cool magic with a sprinkle of teenage angst and I’d recommend it to all YA readers.