Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew

Keynan Masters #1

by DaVaun Sanders

"Impossible to predict... Your new obsession." —Mark Oshiro, co-author of #1 New York Times bestseller The Sun and the Star

This new middle grade fantasy series follows Keynan's quest to unlock his freestyling magic and unravel the secrets of Peerless Academy.

Keynan Masters doesn't know the truth about Peerless Academy. He thinks it's just a fancy art school that can’t teach him anything he doesn’t already know (how to write fire poems) and won’t solve his problems (the massive storms that threaten his home and family).

But at Peerless, Keynan

Together with his crew of new friends, can Keynan prevent the magic from destroying the school—and the world?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Magic, School, Fiction, Audiobook, Family

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

DaVaun Sanders (he/him) resides in Phoenix, Arizona. His short fiction has appeared in FIYAH, PodCastle, Broken Eye Books, Dancing Star Press, the New York Times bestselling anthology, Black Boy Joy, and elsewhere. He continues to expand his work in children's SFF, for his own twins and kids everywhere who deserve to enjoy inclusive stories. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @davaunsanders for Rottie shenanigans, #twinlife updates, and occasional writerly things.

Reviews

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

All middle grade magic school books are inevitably going to be compared to Harry Potter because a lot of authors have read that series and were inspired and influenced by it. And all the Black ones are currently being compared to Amari and the Night Brothers because it's the first one many readers have read. Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew does a good job in that it feels like neither book and really stands on it's own.

I liked the idea of a magic school with a focus on the importance of the arts and recruiting creative children. I liked that Keynan was passionate about his raps even if I found his rhymes kind of corny.

For me this book was just missing that extra oomph! Outside of the arts and rhyming nothing really stood out to me. I didn't connect to the setting or the side characters strong enough to really be enthralled by the plot. And I thought some stuff was repetitive and went on much longer than it needed to. I think if it would've been shorter and tighter it would've held my focus more. I did think it ended in a way that will have readers who did love it excited for the next book.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so glad that more Own Voices fantasy has been coming out. This middle grade story was cute and fun and I think middle school kids will enjoy it overall. I have to say that Kenyan is a main character I struggled to like. He is defiant and even when he changes his mind he still has to break every rule or guidance form anyone including his friends. I like some rebellion but he was excessive. I thought the world building was interesting and I understand that the history was being kept from our main character but I could have used more of an info dump sooner in the story. I didn’t love the ending at all, i don’t think you need a dramatic cliffhanger to lead you to a second book and it’s a fairly cheap trick. The supporting characters were ok but none of the characters were developed as much as they could or should have been. Overall this was a cute start to a new fantasy series.

[Inkyard Press]

Young Adult Social Issues, Young Adult Family, Young Adult Fantasy & Magic

[Liv CG · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm loving how many amazing own voices fantasy series have started over the past few years! KEYNAN MASTERS AND THE PEERLESS MAGIC CREW looks like it aims to join the ranks with Amari, Nic Blake, Akata Witch, and more. It's got the school of magic: Peerless Academy, a building that seems to be both falling apart and turning into something else entirely. It's got a cast of flawed but lovable characters: the titular Keynan who has rhyming skills and a big ego, best friend code named Starbreaker, who's also mad talented, and an assortment of unique schoolmates united in a Hogwarts-style house. And it's got the forbidden knowledge problem: Keynan and his crew need to figure out how to use their artistic magic to combat the destruction of their homes and school by the mysterious and devastating storms that torment their land. The headmaster and teachers know more than they're letting on. Will Keynan and Co. figure it out on their own?

I appreciate what Sanders is trying to do here. He's got an interesting premise (the storms) and the world-building is really cool. The characters go through relatable development (Keynan discovers he can't do it all alone). But when I was reading, I was majorly confused for a good portion of the book. And I'm an adult reader! I think I could give this book to my really invested fantasy lovers, knowing they would push through to the end regardless. The average grade 7 though? Probably would get too frustrated with the gaps in what we're told to keep going. A bit more explanation/exposition earlier on would majorly help - so I might have those conversations with students who attempt this book, to give them more to go on, even though that's something I don't really do. Also, readers should know it ends on a MAJOR cliff-hanger. Although the story wraps up nicely, the last chapter is more like the lead for the sequel, introducing an entirely new conflict. I know this is common in fantasy series, so probably won't bother regular fantasy readers!

Overall, I'll be adding KEYNAN to my classroom library for individual choice reading, but I don't think I can use it as a text to study in our fantasy book club/lit circle. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy of the book to review for my classroom. Publishes Oct 17/23!

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC on NetGalley

Keynan is a kid living in a neighborhood that is cut off from the rest of the world by these highly destructive storms. He gets an invitation to Peerless Academy because he is doing so well on his online learning and, although he is initially reluctant, is persuaded to go so that he can figure out a way to stop the storms. When he gets to Peerless he finds out that everything is simple repetition and boring and they are learning NOTHING of any substance. Then weird things start happening and Keynan and his friends find that the world is not quite as it seems and they mean to be the ones to fix it...

The world building was creative. The way the storms were this terrible, almost living force. The way people banded together in co-ops to survive. The amazing sense of community. The descriptions were a feast of the senses; colorful with strong scents and sounds.

With that being said I had some problems with this book. First, there were so many questions that were raised but then pushed off and left unanswered. Now, its possible that these will come to light in following books, but I feel some of the smaller issues could have been explained. Like, why do none of the students know any of the history of the storms? It is brought up several times and even when Kinder and Toure are asked point blank it just gets brushed off and barely addressed. Second, I had a hard time liking Keynan. He was so self-centered even when he knew he needed his crew. Finally, this book was so heavily steeped in slang and, working at a middle school, I already see some of the slang used dying off. Last year I heard 'Bet' several times a day and this year I've maybe heard it twice, but it is used in the book. It makes me wonder at the longevity of this book.

[Celeste Munoz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate to say this, but I really did not enjoy reading this MG fantasy. I can see the appeal, for sure- it feels like a magical school set in a dystopian world. The introduction to the world was very promising. I was invested in Keynan and his parents, as well as the side characters. There was a great sense of community and place. However, once he arrived at Peerless, I felt that the novel went flat. I became slightly more invested in Leah towards the end of the book, but never connected to Amari or Dez. The professors weren't really distinguishable as characters for me, and the magic system didn't seem to have any rules or purpose. There were a lot of questions I had toward the beginning of the book that I felt were never answered, mainly about the Storms. I didn't get a sense of place from Peerless at all. Finally, in the Peerless half of the book, Keynan becomes much more selfish and uses a lot of slang that I think will most likely be dated by next year. The backbone of the story was promising, and I thought the cliffhanger was well done. I just struggle to see how this would hold a middle grader's attention. If it does, that's awesome, but I don't think it would have held mine.

Thank you to the publisher and BookishFirst for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Laila - Stories Steeped in Magic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5
Thank you Inkyard Press for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.

Synopsis:
Keynan Masters lives with his parents in Bizzy Block, a futuristic yet odd place surrounded by severe storms. The frequency and destruction caused by the storms keeps Bizzy Block secluded from the rest of the world, and no one really knows how or why. Keynan just wants to write poetry and help the family’s crops, but his parents desperately want him to attend the prestigious Peerless Academy. Only when he gets an invitation and a storm nearly destroys his home, Keynan decides to accept because maybe he can figure out a way to stop the horrible weather in his studies. But when he gets to the academy, strange things begin to happen. First, the professors teach nothing of substance - just repeating the same boring lessons over and over again. Second, the frequency of the storms start increasing, especially around the school, and Keynan wonders if it’s his fault. Third, he learns that there is magic in his poetry and rap lyrics. Things take a dramatic turn with an ancient evil is unleashed, and nothing about the world is as it seems. It is up to Keynan and his new Peerless crew to uncover the truth and set things right by combining the power of music, poetry, and the arts.

What I Liked: Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew is a fun magic-school adventure full of community and the arts. The book has a fascinating world premise, with the storms being an almost-living antagonist themselves and the mystery behind them fueling Keynan’s quest and determination. The creativity of fusing magic with arts and that the school focuses on the arts is unique to the genre, highlighting the importance of the music, writing, drawing, and so on to its middle grade audience. The tension from the professors drives the plot further, as the kids know that the adults are hiding the truth, but for what reasons, they will have to figure out. Lastly, the books hammers home the theme of community and the working together as a team instead of doing it alone toward the 2nd half of the story, emphasizing how each person has their own strengths that can make the world a better place. Overall, a nice addition to the magic-school genre that tries new ideas and has a fast-paced plot.

What I Didn’t Like: The main problem with this book is Keynan himself. He’s rebellious and defiant - all good traits for an MC - but it leads into annoying arrogance. It’s hard to connect with a character who thinks they are right all the time and pushes away their friends because of it. Side characters were developed fine, but they do not balance out Keynan’s personality. So it is hard for the reader to connect with any character in the story. Also there was a lot of repetition that could have been cut, and replaced with a bit more explanation of the world. Even though Keynan is left in the dark on major historical and worldly elements, the readers should not to the point of confusion.

Who Would I Recommend this to: Kids who love magic-school stories like Amari and the Night Brothers, The Marvellers, and Kelcie Murphy and the Academy of the Unbreakable Arts.

Review Date: December 30, 2023

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Keynan lives with his mother and father in Bizzy Block, in a slightly futuristic dystopia where no one drives cars and relies on drones instead because of the frequency and severity of storms. He is content to help his parents with the crops, write poetry, and attend virtual school through Build-a-Scholar, where his best friend is Starbreaker. His parents, however, are obsessed with the idea that he attend Peerless Academy. Keynan doesn't want to go, and even when he gets a very insistent letter and agrees to go, he chickens out at the last minute. When a terrible storm hits Bizzy Block not long after that, Keynan thinks that if he attends Peerless, he might find a way to stop the storms. Taking a huge risk, he makes his way to the academy, which gets him in big trouble with Headmaster Kinder, since students were put into danger looking for him. Once of these students is first year scholar Leah, who doesn't mind, because she was hoping to see her older sister Yolanda out on the patrol. Keynan is put on the Wiley Squad, named for the professor in charge, and tries to get along with his squad members, including Amari. He has an easier time with that than getting along with Dez, who seems to have it out for Keynan. When the group starts to notice that the building and rooms keep changing, and that the storms around the academy keep increasing, Keynan is worried that it is his fault. He does discover that his poetry has magical qualities, but is he combining different types of arts in ways that are causing storms? When he and his friends accidentally unleash some evil, they don't feel that the can tell their professors about it. Instead, they must hone their skills and hope that a good performance at the recital will save the school. Will it be enough? And what is the secret behind Keynan's parents? There looks to be another book needed to explain the final pages!
Strengths: Keynan is an engaging character who is apprehensive about going away to a magical boarding school; that's new and refreshing. He does have a lot of motivation, since his mother was badly traumatized by the storms, and he hopes to find a way to make them not as bad. The adults at the academy are vaguely evil, but just the right amount; they are hiding things from the students more than making things hard for them. The connection between Keynan's poetry and magic was interesting, and this is a good choice for any student who is fond of writing. The cover is great.
Weaknesses: I love poetry, but my students tend not to. This starts with Keynan scribbling his verses, but I think with some encouragement, my students will struggle through that part of the book to get to the magical academy part. Even though I'm not a fan of info dumps, I could have used a little more information about the state of Keynan's world.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who can't get enough magical academy books like Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers, Clayton's The Marvellers, Perry's Cameron Battle, Hendrix's Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans, and Okogwu's Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew" was a fun middle grade novel that I enjoyed reading, though it wasn't my favorite. I found the world that Sanders created intriguing; it has a bit of a dystopian feel, which is refreshing for a children's fantasy read.

Keynan Masters is a boy who loves to rhyme more than anything in the world. He attends school on this online platform and helps out around his neighborhood. But his home, the Bizzy Block, is being threatened by dangerous storms. Keynan comes to believe that the only way to stop the storms is to go to the Peerless Academy for students who are gifted in the arts. Upon his arrival at the school, him and his friends start to notice mysterious happenings and begin to discover that the storms aren't actually storms. . .

I personally didn't love Keynan, which I feel was my biggest roadblock with this one. He is very selfish, not super loyal, and is quite petty most of the time. He is a young boy who is learning how to be more inclusive of his friends and to think before he leaps, so I'll cut him a little bit of slack. I think it's fun that Keynan loves poetry and spends much of his time perfecting his rhymes (even if they can be a bit cringey at times).

The setting was also neat. It's a boarding school for children who want to study the liberal arts such as dance, drawing, or writing. Oddly enough though, the dystopian-esque setting of this novel doesn't allow for spontaneous creativity/improv or the mixing of art forms, which is quite bizarre (but is eventually explained by the lore). This leads the students to attending classes where they have to memorize boring poems, repeatedly draw stick figures, and practice rigid dance moves.

The book was a tad bit predictable at times, but I did not see the ending coming at all. I never would have expected this book to end on a cliffhanger, and the way it ended completely shocked me. I'm not super invested in the story so the ending didn't destroy me, but I would still read the next addition to the series.

Overall, "Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew" was a quick, enjoyable read. It's been a while since I've read a middle grade fantasy, so it was a good palate refresher for me, especially since the tale lacked romance. I think this book has a similar aesthetic to the books in the Rick Riordan presents collection, so if you are a fan of those books, "Keynan Masters" is definitely worth checking out!

[Sara Weather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Good

I. World – mix of science fiction and fantasy, the creatures, small town vibe at beginning, magic system/rules

Seeing cultural references made me feel like I am in the authors creativity.

II. Black voice in story

III. Ending

Left a lot to be explored, questions to be answered, and me wanting more

IV. Good themes for young readers – you need people/community.

The Bad

I. Pacing – story went on a while rehashing things and not progressing the story.

II. Could more have been done to make everything come together cohesively?

III. Not enough was done to let reader get a connection/feeling for individual characters.

IV. Did the story feel like it lacked whimsy at least in first third?

Thoughts

I. Ranking

A. How is Keynan Masters ranking amongst middle grade books I’ve read?

B. Type of magical systems and schools that Black authors are creating specifically with middle grade: Amari and Night Brothers, A Taste of Magic, Tristan Strong Punches A Hole in the Sky, etc.

II. Is a lot of the magical expression in this book on the quiet side because this is the first in a series? Are we really going to see the magic in its fullness in the second book in this series?

III. Amari – is a girl character in Children of Blood and Bone & Amari and the Night Brothers while in Keynan Masters Amari is a boy character (which did not keep getting me throughout the novel at all).

IV. Is the author of Keynan Masters a pantser?

V. Age range- Is this a good story for middle graders/target audience of this book? Does this read younger like a chapter book? Is this a good thing? Does it actually read young or is certain factors making it seem young to me (being an adult/reading so much ya/adults aging up certain age categories since adults read them)? Should this book have been shorter 50 or so pages?

VI. Mini-adults & magic rant: Adults be talking bad to these kids that they (the adults) expect (not need) to fix these broken worlds. If kids can band together and fix worlds why can’t the adults..? Then again adults are useless.

VII. Individualism/chosen one/token main character who is inherently all powerful & is going to be center of narrative vs missing the contribution of band/group fighters. There is a message in here about community and how being chosen one/main character can make you a bit selfish and arrogant. It is tough because it still felt like Keynan powers are more powerful than everyone else’s.

VIII. Spoiler comments?

Maybe we could fix the magic if we have more than 3 students practicing magic or the adults doing more

I won this from Inkyard Press via bookishfirst

[Shradha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped upon receiving this book that it would be in the same vein as P. Djeli Clark's "Abeni's Song" that I reviewed earlier this year, a mixture of uniquely Black fantasy with a middle grade tone and message. And for the first third of "Keynan and the Peerless Magic Crew" that was exactly what I got, Afrofantasy with a unique scifi twist. Unfortunately, it did not stay that way.

Keynan's world and his hometown of Bizzy Block is interesting. In the first few chapters, you get an idea of how much his parents love him, and his community supports him. Even though there's a constant threat of mysterious storms around, there's a real sense of nurture and it makes sense why Keynan is reluctant to leave for someplace as distant as Peerless Academy. The use of drones and the hint that his world used to be the same as ours made me think this would be a post-apocalyptic story with some magic thrown in. It was interesting, engrossing, and I wanted to see how it turned out.

Unfortunately, with the introduction of Peerless, the rot set in with inconsistent and confusing world-building. The magic system is poorly explained to the point where it seemed that the characters could do anything and it would be a toss-up as to whether it worked or not or if there would be a reason why. There is a cliffhanger ending that may hint at further explanations (this is supposed to be part one of a series), but I feel that there would need to be a whole lot more explanation of what's going on than could be conceivable in just one other book. If I, as an adult reader, cannot comprehend the magic system, then I feel the middle-grade audience is going to be even more perplexed.

The characterization was also a bit flat with our supporting characters, and a bit inconsistent with relation to our protagonist. There is a point where he extends an act of friendship to a character, only to turn around and make them an enemy for no good reason. Even Keynan is confused as to why he does this, and I feel that the entire episode was shoehorned in to move the plot forward.

In short, "Keynan and the Peerless Magic Crew" started off strong, but quickly devolved into a bit of a mess. This honestly would be a bit of a one star review, but the initial premise and promise of the genre was strong enough that I gave it 1.5 stars, rounded up to two.

Thanks to BookishFirst for allowing me to receive a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’m loving the latest crop of diverse middle grade fantasy, and Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew is no different. It has a lot to offer, with a unique take on the “magic school” archetype. The setting itself is super interesting, from the storms threatening their home to intricate education system, on the surface being designed for those in creative fields, but from a rather draconian, restrictive lens, presents an excellent contradiction.
Keynan also is an interesting lead to explore all this through. He’s not always the most likable, being rather selfish and smug at times. And initially his tendency to break rules is seen as a bad thing. However, the story strikes a great balance between him learning and growing as he forms bonds with people, while also allowing him to ask the questions about what’s really going on that school’s staff aren’t telling the students.
There’s a lot going on, between the deceptively simple “school” stuff to the unraveling mystery around what’s going on with the storms. It’s more or less fast paced, keeping me engaged throughout with the consistent suspense. And while there are some answers given to the problem at hand, the book ends with a cliffhanger, setting up the next adventure.
This was a fun first-in-series, and I can’t wait for more. If you’re looking for a new middle grade fantasy-adventure, I’d recommend checking this out!

[Allison DaRosa]

I would like to thank Inkyard Press for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story focuses on Keynan Masters, a young boy whose neighbourhood is plagued by mysterious storms. He attends the Peerless School in order to solve the mystery about why these storms keep happening and what he can do about them. He meets friends along the way, and they discover interdimensional magic by way of using various arts. They also encounter many dangers. Will they save Peerless from destruction?

I will admit, I cringed at Keynan's rhymes during the book's beginning, until I got to the middle of the book and saw that his rhymes were important and were integral to the magic system of the school. During that point, I eventually found the rhymes to be entertaining, like unique magic spells.

That being said, the school's storm announcements ("A storm is coming! This is not a drill!") got to become very annoying and repetitive as the story goes on. Keynan also seemed to have problems with working with his friends as a team at times.

Critiques aside, the book ended on a great cliffhanger, and it got me interested for book two in this series!

Despite the fact that there was some mild scary scenes in the book, I would recommend this book for all ages.

[Susan Beamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found another middle grade book in my stack. I possibly have more. One doesn't always realize where on the reading scale a book is when one enters a contest for that book. Anyway, this was actually a very interesting book.
Keynan's world is a bit different from ours. They have strange storms that pick up houses and take them away. These storms are not tornadoes that leave paths of destruction. They look and sound different from what we think of storms. Keynan has wanted to understand these storms because they disrupt his rhyming.
He has a talent for poetry. His parents want to encourage his talent, so they enrolled him at Peerless Academy. He refuses to go, until he learned he could study the storms there. So he borrows his dad's old bicycle to ride to Peerless. That's where the fun of this book starts.
There is magic in the underside of Keynan's world. Most people don't know about it because the magic is 'broken'. Keynan now knows that fixing magic is what he and his crew are supposed to do.
There will be a lot of learning before they are completely successful, shown to us in future volumes. This is but the first in a series, I suspect. I do hope so since this book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. I find I liked this book. I'm sure you and your children will like it to.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting start to a new MG fantasy series that looks at the intersection of art and climate change through a magical lens. Keynan is a poet who has no interest in going to the elite Peerless School. He wants to stay with his parents in their cooperative neighborhood and work on his rhymes. But when another storm threatens his family and community, Keynan decides to go and study climate science. DaVaun Sanders does a really amazing job of showing us the stress climate change can cause children and the powerless they can feel in the face of these monumental forces. I loved that the story shows the power of art to create change. I think it will empower many young readers how to use their poetry, painting, dance, and singing to make the world a better place. It is also a great friendship story where we get to see Keynan go from an insular world where he knows everyone to have to navigate a friend group with all its messy complications. Really enjoyed Amir Abdullah's narration. He brought great energy to Keynan's voice, the characters were all distinct, and his rhymes performances were full of verve. The book is complete story of magical discovery and the final chapter, especially the jaw-dropping final lines, set up an epic next adventure. Excited for Book 2! Highly recommend!

[Ashley Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this young adult novel was enjoyable. I've never read anything by this author before, but I was impressed by their attention to detail and writing style, which really made the plot come to life. I'm interested to watch this author's future endeavors. This is a well written account of Keynan's experiences attending a prestigious art school. He is going to discover that this art school is not like any other—it is teeming with magic, hidden tunnels, and gateways. I liked his character and the additions he made to the narrative. Any young adult would appreciate reading about the adventure he takes you on. His development was interesting to see throughout, and it improved the narrative. Any young adult would appreciate reading about the adventure he takes you on. His development was interesting to see throughout, and it improved the narrative. Because of their likability, he and the other characters made the narrative interesting. A fantastic tale that moves quickly and is difficult to put down. Don't pass on this thrilling tale that makes magic come to life. I heartily endorse this book.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an intriguing book and I think any child would love to read. Anyone will identify with Keynan as he explores his magical powers and find new friends. And, as with all the best children’s stories, he is a little arrogant at the start, but I loved how that allowed him to fearlessly explore his newfound world and, with all the confidence of childhood and support of his friends, to rush in to solving problems without the hesitancy and second guessing that adulthood brings. In childhood all tasks are achievable and this belief provides the perfect growing moments that lay the foundations of creative, innovative, and courageous people. In addition, building allies and testing the boundaries of friendship is a key factor in learning about the World and Davaun Sanders’ debut novel does this. I loved that this had the representation that so many children’s books often miss out on and which build powerful connections between the reader and characters and show that we are all so much alike. I fell into this book and was swept away by the storytelling and excitement of Keynan’s story and look forward to reading future books by Sanders.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ebook ARC of this book from Netgalley and Inkyard Press but the review below is all my own.

It took a little while for me to get into this book but it did come around after a bit. I found I was confused about the world it was set in for too long and wished there was some earlier explanations of the weird things that were happening. The fighting between Keynan the member’s of his crew felt forced at times and I agree with another reviewer that there were too many questions left unanswered. When we got more information about what the storms were and how the magic worked it became a lot more interesting and then I was hooked. There was a magical, almost Wonderland vibe to the breaks and I really loved how the arts were the key to dealing with it. I wish I could see what they were seeing because from the description it was pretty wild. I’m definitely interested to see where this is all heading since the end was quite the shocker and cliffhanger. I can see some of the unanswered questions that were left dangling really paying off in the future books.

[Andrea George · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew" is Davaun Sanders' debut novel. I'm always looking for age-appropriate, diverse novels for my students and this novel certainly did not disappoint! The characters were interesting, believable, and based on their words and actions, created with strong values. The plot follows the magical adventures of Keynan Masters and his friends as they navigate the strange characters and happenings at their new school, the Peerless Academy of Movement, Art, Genealogy, Instrumentation and Composition. They discover secret tunnels, portals and attempt to solve the mysterious disappearances of fellow students. Keynan also has an ulterior motive for attending Peerless Academy. He is attempting to research a way to end the dangerous storms that threaten his family and neighborhood on Bizzy Block. Will he succeed, or is the task too great for him to tackle? Without giving any of the plot away, the ending is truly magical! I'm looking forward to reading additional YA novels by Mr. Sanders

[Steph Elias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew is a fantastic middle-grade book about a kid who is learning to use his freestyling magic and unravel the secrets of Peerless Academy. This is a really great story with a fun magical system and great characters. Kenyan ends up at Peerless Academy after his home and family get threatened by bad storms. I will admit the Kenyan is not an entirely likable character. He is selfish and petty. However, he is also young and just coming into himself so I guess that is to be expected. As for the school, that is where this story really shines with its cool passageways and odd portals. The school brings this motley crew together to figure out how to stop the storms that are threatening their home. The staff at the school seem to know more than they are letting on so you wonder what they may be hiding. Anyway, you can really get sucked into the magic and mystery of it all. I loved how it centers around the arts and how they are the key to figuring out the problem.

[Tee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this was a fun read for middle grade readers. I think that middle schoolers in particular would really enjoy reading this book.

With that said, there were parts that were confusing for me as a reader, mainly in regards to the word building. While I understand that some of the world's was being kept from our main character (on purpose), I felt that there needed to be some explanation for how the world works a bit earlier in the story.


In terms of characters, Kenyan was a defiant character, which was interesting. I think it was a bit over the top sometimes (especially when it came to not listening to his friends, who were trying to help him); but I appreciated that the author committed to this character type. I also thought some of the secondary characters could have been a bit more fleshed out.

I also didn't love that this story ends on such a major cliffhanger. I don't think it was necessary.

I'm glad I gave this story a chance though, and I hope other readers will too.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is NOT a Harry Potter wannabe and once I Realized that I really enjoyed the book. Our main character Keynan switches from a home school program to attending a school for the arts. Of course the arts end up being a bit more complicated as magic is involved. One of the things that I liked about this was the focus on the importance of the arts. Although the main focus was on their purposes relating to magic there were plenty of other times that focused just on their beauty. I believe wholeheartedly that the arts have a lot to teach us and it was nice to see them appreciated and nurtured. The relationships in the book were a little slow to develop but this felt like a reflection of real life. Overall the greatest aspect of this book was the representation. Black students with their culture and interests were the primary focus of the book rather than being glimpsed in a secondary character. Representation matters and this book is a wonderful result. Thanks to BookishFirst for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Currently a 3* book for me due to that cruel cliffhanger we were left with while we await the second book! without my automatic -* for a cliffhanger of that magnitude, this book would be 4*. (1* was lost due to the hero complex that seems to possess our lead Keynan for the majority of the book and turns him into a twerp that doesn't deserve the hero status.)

World building was fabulous, dystopian feel was reinforced through the narrative without rubbing it in your face, a magic school that felt valid and uncomfortably real, as well as a world ending problem? Yeah, I can't wait for book 2, either.

Target Audience: I would recommend for middle readers who are good with abstract concepts or young adult readers, as there are a lot of higher and stranger concepts in this book. Bonus points for BIPOC central world and an opening of new topics of discussion for younger readers. Be aware of threats of danger/violence and mind-altering consent issues in the book, which can be TWs or more open doors for discussion.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, imagine this book as a magical adventure where art and creativity are the heroes against corrupt magic! It's like diving into a world where friendship, courage, and self-belief take center stage, creating a heartwarming vibe. Picture a tight-knit community, coming together like a big, comforting hug, especially when they join forces to rebuild after storms – it's downright heartening!

And oh, Keynan's growth is like watching a flower bloom; you'll be cheering as they realize the power of accepting help. Geared towards middle school readers, the book is like a treasure trove of relatable issues for that age group, sprinkled with the extra sweetness of poetry and recipes. Just imagine flipping through the pages and feeling that cozy charm.

Now, of course, every story has its quirks. Some supporting characters might be a bit like background dancers, and there are a few moments where the plot takes a detour. But trust me, the overall journey is like a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly day – a delightful experience!

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keynan has grown up to have a very health respect for storms for when he was little the storms sucked away his neighbors. Now that he is a bit older he has been given a chance to go to a very special school, but he doesn’t want to go he wants to stay home and write his rhymes. But when another neighbor is sucked up and away in a storm that wrecks most of his town. He now wants to go to this school really bad so he can learn about the storms and help his town, but what he learns about the storms is a lot more than he or his crew ever thought they would. Peerless is not the academy any of them thought it was.
This is a great book a very different kind of magic is used as well as Keynan and his friends the ones to figure it out. Each of them as well as the professors are very different but work together very nice. This is just a fun and great book. I hope these characters turn up again soon.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew is a well-written book for middle school students. 

The plot is interesting and evolves mostly around the main character, Keynan, and the friends he makes while at school. The school isn't like any that this age group would be familiar with. The classes have low expectations for lessons, but very high expectations for following rules. There are some major issues in the building that involve magic that is being used in the wrong way, which is the reason for the sad state of the lessons.

The characterization is well done. There are a few students who quickly come across as bullies, and  Keynan is a little too full of himself and his own belief that he can do a lot to improve his surroundings without help from anyone else, Keynan also has some issues with accepting responsibility when something he does goes horribly wrong.

The book is definitely worth reading for the original story and growth experienced by the characters. 

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of this novel is the beginning and getting to know Keynan's loving and supportive family and neighbors. I enjoyed the small town setting and how everyone looked out for each other and helped each other. Keynan's knowledge of plants and creatures was a pleasantly surprising character trait for a middle grade boy. I liked the fresh take on a magical school and how Keynan was very nervous and apprehensive about fitting in.

Keynan was not likeable to me and I found him to be selfish and conceited and his character arc didn't have enough growth in what is apparently the first book of either a series or duology based on the huge cliffhanger ending.

The world building in this novel was lacking and often left me confused and bored. The storms made for an intriguing plot twist, but why did no one seem to know anything about them other than they meant destruction? Too many assumptions were made about the poetry magic and too much was held secret from the reader.

[Christin · Rating 5 out of 5]

TThis story was full of action, suspense and definitely had a lot of mystery and magic! One thing I liked was how each character had a talent. Like they were good at poems or drawing etc. And that's how they could use their magic. I think that also helped show how they could mix talents and make stronger magic or just be able to help each other. I liked how the author made it seem like magic was bad and everyone was trying to forget it or hide it and whenever someone used magic storms happened, but eventually they explain why the storms happen and how not all magic is bad. Another thing I liked is how the author shows us different places. The magic world, the school and the characters home. The author is very descriptive which I think helps the story. I also liked how the characters poems are in the story a bit so you can see how he's trying to make magic. I hope there will be a sequel to this amazing story!

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keynan is a kid who lives in a small neighborhood, removed from the rest of the world by violent storms. He’s invited to Peerless Academy, and though hesitant, decides to attend to find a way to stop the storms. Once there, the storms become more frequent and Keynan starts noticing strange occurrences.. He and his friends quickly discover that their world isn’t quite what it seems. Together, and with the help of a professor, they begin to understand and explore the magic that has been hidden from them.

I found the world building in this book really interesting. That said, I spent a lot of this book feeling a little bit confused. It felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions. Keynan’s character was really difficult for me to like since he was so insistent on doing everything himself. It didn’t feel like he really connected with his friends which was disappointing for me. It ended on a huge (and I mean HUGE) cliffhanger, setting things up for the next book.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this young adult story. This is a newer author for me which I enjoyed their writing skills as well as their attention to details that made the story pop. I look forward to seeing what is next for this author. This is a well written story about Keynan and his adventures of going to a fancy art school. What he is about to find out that, this is just not any ordinary art school but this one is full of magic, secret passageways and portals. I enjoyed his character and what he added to the story. He takes you on an adventure that any young adult would enjoy reading about. I enjoyed watching his growth throughout which just added to the story. He and the other characters are connectable and kept the story engaging. A fast paced story that is hard to put down and just a great story. Don't miss out on this adventure story that brings magic to life. I highly recommend this book.