Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy

Book SynopsisA mischievous little witch tries to use her magic to win her parents back from an evil monsterâher new baby brother.

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Book SynopsisA mischievous little witch tries to use her magic to get out of her dreaded swimming lessons.

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Book SynopsisA mischievous little witch tries to use her magic to make things right again after her lies ruin her friendship and a school project.

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Book SynopsisYuanyuan is a very shy little girl. She always speaks in a soft voice. One day, an old man who specializes in sugar figure blowing appears on the street. The sugar figures that he blows are so vivid that the children love to gather around him. Yuanyuan, however, is too shy to go. It isn’ t until all the children go home that Yuanyuan dares to step forward and asks the old man to blow a little candy man. The old man agrees and blows a sugar ball for Yuanyuan, something magical happens ... The sugar ball becomes bigger and bigger, and it wraps around Yuanyuan, taking her flying higher and higher. Along the way, Yuanyuan encounters the exhausted birds, the hungry ants, and the cat who wants to go home but can’ t swim. What happens between the shy Yuanyuan and the little animals? Where will the magic candy ball take Yuanyuan?

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Book SynopsisWhat would you wish for? This middle-grade novel exploring what it means to become a blended family is perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead's The List of Things That Will Not Change.12-year-old Winnie feels stuck. She's alone in a new town with a mom who doesn't seem to notice how miserable Winnie's new stepbrother and stepfather make her. One night, when Winnie makes a hasty wish, she nearly gets sideswiped by an odd bird, leading her to a strange oak tree with even stranger glowing leaves. Investigating the tree, Winnie discovers a nest of golden eggs with wishes inscribed on the shells. After Winnie accidentally breaks two of the eggs, the wishes come true. Winnie sneaks back to the tree to try to grant her own wishes. But when she realizes the wishes are coming true in unexpected and terrible ways, Winnie must find a way to fix everything. . . . .Trade Review"Hill enables readers to see deeply into Winnie, including her past, fears, anger, wishes, and the way she perceives her own story...Hill’s writing is full of poetic references readers will recognize, as when Winnie feels 'like the oldest sibling in a fairy tale where only third children ever win.'...A modern blended family story with a sprinkling of magic." —Kirkus Reviews“With immersive prose and a pinch of real magic, Amanda Rawson Hill spins a fairy tale about anxiety, anger, and acceptance that will linger with a reader ever after.”—Cindy Baldwin, author of Where the Watermelons Grow“An honest exploration of how anxiety can impact the stories we tell ourselves; readers will cheer for Winnie as she fights to write her own happily ever after.” —Jessica Vitalis, author of The Wolf's Curse

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Book SynopsisGinger the Halloween witch has a big Christmas wish--a visit from Santa Claus. But Santa doesn't believe in witches--until Ginger's letter to him magically appears on his desk! This book is a perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for kids.Ginger spends a lot of her time creating spells, and flying through the night on her broom. But she is different from the other witches -- because she also ADORES Christmas! Even with Ginger's good deeds and endless Christmas cheer, she's never received a single visit from Santa. What's a Christmas-loving Halloween witch supposed to do? In this twist on the Christmas holiday's traditional "believe" concept, Ginger's wish of a Merry Witchmas comes true thanks to some holiday magic and good cheer.Trade Review"Ginger is a typical witch, except that in addition to Halloween, Ginger adores Christmas. Both text and pictures are a clever, dizzying mashup of Halloween and Christmas motifs, like jack-o’-lanterns topped with Santa hats and a flying broom with a red bow. The colorful cartoon-style illustrations depict Ginger and Santa as White, with some diversity among the extra characters. Fans of both holidays will find this unusual mix fun and engaging." —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisFifteen-year-old Yuna prefers staying home and obsessively playing her favourite VRMMO game to doing anything else, including going to school. When a strange new update gives her a one-of-a-kind bear outfit that comes with overpowered abilities, Yuna is torn: the outfit is unbearably cute, but too embarrassing to wear in-game. But then she suddenly finds herself transported into the world of the game, facing down monsters and magic for real, and the bear suit becomes the best weapon she has!

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Book SynopsisWhen she turns ten years old, Adele von Ascham is hit with a horrible headache - and memories of her previous life as an eighteen-year-old Japanese girl named Kurihara Misato. That life changed abruptly, however, when Misato died trying to aid a little girl and met god. During that meeting, she made an odd request and asked for average abilities in her next life. But few things - especially wishes - ever go quite as planned.

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Book Synopsis“Stephen King’s It meets Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight ... in a frightening story of horror and fantasy woven together to create a delectable tale of the macabre … romance and action. Snyman’s storytelling will have people lining up for the next book.” - School Library JournalSHADOW GROVE IS A PERFECTLY PLEASANT TOWN ... Shadow Grove isn't a typical town. Bad things happen here. Children disappear, one after the other, and nobody is doing anything about it. Parents don't grieve, missing posters don't line the streets, and the sheriff seems unconcerned. Seventeen-year-old Rachel Cleary lives on the outskirts of Shadow Grove, next to the creepy forest everyone pretends doesn't exist. Usually the forest is filled with an eerie calm, an unmistakable graveyard solemnity. But the trees have started whispering, forgotten creatures are stirring, and the nights feel darker than ever. Something is stalking the residents of Shadow Grove, changing them into brain-dead caricatures of themselves. It's up to Rachel to stop the devouring of her hometown before all is destroyed and everyone she loves is forever lost.“With its boogeyman-like creature based in lesser-known folklore, the novel is unique, as well as creepy and unsettling. The familiar small town atmosphere is imbued with a chilling aura, and the mystery at the heart of the book keeps pages turning. The Night Weaver introduces a world of myth, intrigue, and darkness with considerable technique.” - Foreword Reviews “Snyman’s creative adoption of English folklore adds a unique twist, and satisfying frights abound. An enjoyable, frenetically paced fantasy.” - Publishers WeeklyTrade Review"Stephen King's It meets Stephenie Meyer's Twilight ... in a frightening story of horror and fantasy woven together to create a delectable tale of the macabre -- romance and action. Snyman's storytelling will have people lining up for the next book." -- School Library Journal"With its boogeyman-like creature based in lesser-known folklore, the novel is unique, as well as creepy and unsettling. The familiar small town atmosphere is imbued with a chilling aura, and the mystery at the heart of the book keeps pages turning. The Night Weaver introduces a world of myth, intrigue, and darkness with considerable technique." -- Foreword Reviews"Snyman's creative adoption of English folklore adds a unique twist, and satisfying frights abound. An enjoyable, frenetically paced fantasy." -- Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisFor a small New England town, Shadow Grove has an uncanny ability to attract the worst kind of trouble. Not that the residents are too concerned about the various horrors living among them. As the leaves change color and the weather grows colder, a foul presence is making itself known by leaving peculiar gifts for the students of Ridge Crest High. At first, the presents seem harmless—and a rash of accidents seem coincidental—but when seniors Rachel Cleary and her Scottish cousin, Dougal Mackay, find a boneless body in the boiler room, things take an ominous turn. Something vicious is on the loose in Shadow Grove, but with Orion Nebulius gone, Rachel has little hope of anyone getting out alive.Trade Review"Snyman interweaves action, intrigue, and horror into one novel. This book will make a great starting point for teenagers who haven't yet found cult classics such as The Exorcist and A Nightmare on Elm Street." -- Beronica Puhr, School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisAn outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process. Skulking near the bottom of West High's social pyramid, Sideways Pike lurks under the bleachers doing magic tricks for Coke bottles. As a witch, lesbian, and lifelong outsider, she's had a hard time making friends. But when the three most popular girls pay her $40 to cast a spell at their Halloween party, Sideways gets swept into a new clique. The unholy trinity are dangerous angels, sugar-coated rattlesnakes, and now-unbelievably-Sideways' best friends. Together, the four bond to form a ferocious and powerful coven. They plan parties, cast curses on dudebros, try to find Sideways a girlfriend, and elude the fundamentalist witch hunters hellbent on stealing their magic. But for Sideways, the hardest part is the whole 'having friends' thing. Who knew that balancing human interaction with supernatural peril could be so complicated? Rich with the urgency of feral youth, The Scapegracers explores growing up and complex female friendship with all the rage of a teenage girl. It subverts the trope of competitive mean girls and instead portrays a mercilessly supportive clique of diverse and vivid characters. It is an atmospheric, voice-driven novel of the occult, and the first of a three-book series.Trade Review"Loner, lesbian teenage witch Sideways bubbles with nerves, insecurities, and longing in this action packed debut from a young queer writer. Jam packed with intensity of feeling ALL the feelings, Clarke takes us on a roller coaster ride, oscillating between headiness of recognizing one's own power, first date nerves, trying to smash the patriarchy while looking great at a party, and the dizzying joy of finding your clan. Bonus points for super sweet gay dads and all around great representation of diverse characters." --Chana Porter, author of The Seep "The Scapegracers wallops you with all the raw, thrilling vertigo of young love and new friendship, alongside a deeply-plotted mythology that will delight any magic fan. It's a jewel-studded book, with an unearthly glow. You will definitely want to join this coven." --Jess Zimmerman, author of Basic Witches "Sapphic teenage witches and slippery vengeance magic? Yes, please! Clarke's entertaining debut captures all the pleasure and pathos of viciously loyal high school cliques." --Katharine Duckett, author of Miranda in Milan "This is the dark, twisty, witchy book I've always wanted. Hannah's writing is brilliant and gorgeous and firework bright." --Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians (She also said "Thanks so much for sending this - it reminds me of Megan Abbott's Dare Me, but with magic, which is perfect.") "The magic especially intrigued me--so spooky and weird and dangerous but addictive." --Shveta Thakrar, author of Star Daughter

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Book Synopsis“A must-read for anyone who loves . . . complex and compelling coming-of-age stories, tales set in the Wild West with a tinge of magic, and/or a fast-paced read full of fae and adventure.” —Tor.comIn antebellum America, two teens bury their secrets and join the historic Pony Express, soon discovering that the mortal world is not the only one on the brink of war.When bright, brash Jessamine Murphy finds a recruitment poster for the Pony Express, her tomboy heart skips a beat: not only for adventure, but for the chance to track down her wayward father in California. Eager to reunite her fractured family, Jessamine cuts her hair, dons a pair of trousers, and steps into the world as Jesse.With a bit of trickery, Jesse wins a special assignment—as does Ben Foley, a quiet but determined boy who guards secrets as closely as Jesse does. The two are to transport unusual cargo along an unusual route: the Nightland Express. They ride west together, one excitedly navigating the world as a boy, the other passing as white to escape the monsters from his past.Ben and Jesse soon realize their assignment is special in more ways than one: their tireless horses cover ground faster than should be possible, and inhuman creatures watch their journey from the darkness. The Nightland Express is more than a mail route—it traces the border between the mortal world and a vibrant, magical land just beyond.As both realms hover on the precipice of disaster, Jesse and Ben must learn to fully trust one another before a catastrophic rift separates the two worlds—and the two riders—forever.Trade Review“A must-read for anyone who loves . . . complex and compelling coming-of-age stories, tales set in the Wild West with a tinge of magic, and/or a fast-paced read full of fae and adventure.” —Tor.com“Lee presents a very nuanced version of the faerie world in The Nightland Express, as well as thoughtful consideration of life in 1860s America. . . . The exciting narrative, fueled by a perceptive and sharply written plot, makes this novel a surefire winner for teens.” —Locus“An epic journey in so many ways, Nightland Express takes a high-stakes historical premise and douses it with magic, danger, and complex characters, forging their own paths through the blazing West. Enchanting in every way.” —Kristen Simmons, author of Article 5 “Vibrant, lush, and clever . . . The journey across the Old West—and beyond—lets readers ask timeless questions about identity and destiny, and J.M. Lee answers them with kindness, hope, and a touch of magic.” —Amanda Hocking, author of the Trylle series “Jesse and Ben’s journey as Pony Express riders is thrilling, but their voyages of self—ones that defy maps, road markers, and what society would have them be—make the The Nightland Express truly shine. Make no mistake, there is no fool’s gold to be found here: The Nightland Express is a poignant, gripping novel.” —Lillie Lainoff, author of One For All “With sparkling prose, a rich historical setting, and characters both enchanted and enchanting, The Nightland Express is a cleverly entertaining take on the Old West. The seamless integration of history and magic is enriched by an elegant, multifaceted commentary on identity and culture.” —Jodie Lynn Zdrok, author of Spectacle and Sensational “Set your heart to believe in this tension-filled, fast-paced, and ultimately hopeful story.” —H. M. Bouwman, author of A Crack in the Sea “A magical tale filled with heart and spirit as it explores themes of identity and belonging.” —Aamna Qureshi, author of The Lady or the Lion

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Book Synopsis“Sharp and exciting, always vivacious and sensory . . . All I want is more—more of these sweet vicious girls and their helplessly loving leader, changing themselves, one another and the world.” —Amal El-Mohtar, The New York Times Book ReviewThe Craft for Gen Z: The Scratch Daughters, indie bestselling author H. A. Clarke crafts a brilliant, award-nominated sequel to The Scapegracers: a raw and roiling tribute to queer lineage, to finding oneself, and to the deep love of chosen family.Sideways Pike is desperate. It turns out that Madeline Kline didn’t want to make out with her; infinitely worse, she was only flirting to get access to Sideways’ specter. Madeline has ripped the magical soul out of Sideways’ throat, and with it, everything that makes a witch feel whole. Madeline would know: the Chantry boys took hers, and she’s going to use Sideways’ specter to hunt them down and get it back.Sideways Pike, lesbian witch extraordinaire, isn’t going to let little things like a treacherous crush or a brutal family of creepy witch hunters stop her, even if it means tracking down Madeline without the Scapegracers—her best friends, her coven, the girls she’s come to love ferociously above all else. But Sideways and her trusty bike are in for a bumpy ride . . .Trade Review“Sharp and exciting, always vivacious and sensory . . . All I want is more—more of these sweet vicious girls and their helplessly loving leader, changing themselves, one another and the world.” —Amal El-Mohtar in the New York Times Book Review“The Scratch Daughters is a sharp, scathing sophomore novel from H. A. Clarke. Middle books in trilogies often function more as table setting to the main event, but not this one. As much as I long for the next entry, if the series should end here at least it would go out on a high note.” —Tor.com“August Clarke’s witchy 2020 banger The Scapegracers is . . . sharp, it’s queer, it’s techy, it’s spiky, it’s magical . . . Sideways Pike is her own force to be reckoned with.” —LitHub, “October’s 8 Best SF and Fantasy Books” Praise for The Scapegracers series: ★ “Magic is palpable, urgent, and simply marvelous in this must-have debut.” —Kirkus★ “Unapologetically queer . . . and seething with raw emotion, this fantasy opens strong while leaving much to be explored in future installments.” —Publishers Weekly“Loner, lesbian teenage witch Sideways bubbles with nerves, insecurities, and longing in this action-packed debut from a young queer writer.” —Chana Porter, author of The Seep“This is the dark, twisty, witchy book I’ve always wanted. [Clarke’s] writing is brilliant and gorgeous and firework bright.” —Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians“Spooky and weird and dangerous, but addictive.” —Shveta Thakrar, author of Star Daughter

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Book SynopsisAn Indie Bestseller! 2021 Locus Award Finalist for Best Young Adult Novel2021 Dragon Award Finalist for Best Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel “As tender and intimate as it is ferocious and volatile, Scapegracers deserves to be this generation’s go-to grimoire. May it launch a thousand covens of angry, loving, brilliant girls.” —Amal El-Mohtar in The New York Times Book Review Holiday Books GuideThe Craft for Gen Z: The Scapegracers is an award-nominated, indie bestseller about witchcraft and friendship among a hell-raising coven of teen girls, told in an unapologetically fierce, inclusive, and vibrant voice.Skulking near the bottom of West High’s social pyramid, Sideways Pike lurks under the bleachers doing magic tricks for bottles of Coke. As a witch, lesbian, and lifelong outsider, she’s had a hard time making friends. But when the three most popular girls pay her forty dollars to cast a spell at their Halloween party, Sideways gets swept into a new clique. The unholy trinity are dangerous angels, sugar-coated rattlesnakes, and now—unbelievably—Sideways’ best friends.Together, the four bond to form a ferocious and powerful coven. They plan parties, cast curses on jerks, and try to find Sideways a girlfriend, all while eluding the fundamentalist witchfinders hell-bent on stealing their magic. But for Sideways, the hardest part is the whole “having friends” thing. Who knew that balancing human interaction with supernatural peril could be so complicated?Rich with the urgency of feral youth, The Scapegracers is an atmospheric, voice-driven novel of the occult that explores magic, growing up, and the complexities of friendship with all the rage of a teenage girl.Trade Review★ “In this fierce debut, a trilogy opener, Clarke conjures up a powerful, passionate tale of female friendship and found family. . . . Unapologetically queer . . . and seething with raw emotion, this fantasy opens strong while leaving much to be explored in future installments.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review★ “Readers will love the spooky pop-culture easter eggs and appreciate a fresh spin on the mean girls theme: Readers won’t despise, but will root for, this cunning, crass, and fiercely caring coven. Bitingly honest, fast-paced dialogue is a solid strength, as is the lyrical language, which is so intimate that readers will viscerally know how magic and emotions feel in Sideways’ body. . . . Teenage girl magic is palpable, urgent, and simply marvelous in this must-have debut.” —Kirkus, starred review“A fierce and magnificent debut, raw and wet as bloody scratches from manicured nails. . . . Clarke tells a violently beautiful story of the magic girls make together, whom it threatens and whom it attracts. . . . I loved everything about this book, from the hot, suturing needle of Clarke’s prose to the broken-glass grind of Sideways’s voice. Clarke’s girls are glittering and terrifying, in love with one another and in opposition to the world that disdains and desires them. . . . As tender and intimate as it is ferocious and volatile, Scapegracers deserves to be this generation’s go-to grimoire. May it launch a thousand covens of angry, loving, brilliant girls.” —Amal El-Mohtar in The New York Times Book Review Holiday Books Guide“Loner, lesbian teenage witch Sideways bubbles with nerves, insecurities, and longing in this action packed debut from a young queer writer. Bonus points for super sweet gay dads and all around great representation of diverse characters.” —Chana Porter, author of The Seep“The Scapegracers wallops you with all the raw, thrilling vertigo of young love and new friendship, alongside a deeply-plotted mythology that will delight any magic fan. It's a jewel-studded book, with an unearthly glow. You will definitely want to join this coven.” —Jess Zimmerman, author of Basic Witches“Sapphic teenage witches and slippery vengeance magic? Yes, please! Clarke’s entertaining debut captures all the pleasure and pathos of viciously loyal high school cliques.” —Katharine Duckett, author of Miranda in Milan “This is the dark, twisty, witchy book I've always wanted. [Clarke]'s writing is brilliant and gorgeous and firework bright.” —Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians“The magic especially intrigued me—so spooky and weird and dangerous but addictive.” —Shveta Thakrar, author of Star Daughter

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Book SynopsisImpressed by the work of the puppetmaster and his apprentice, Tavia’s ruler, The Margrave, has ordered dozens of life-size marionette soldiers to be sent to Wolfspire Hall. When the orders for more soldiers come in with increasingly urgent deadlines, the puppetmaster’s health suffers and Pirouette, his daughter and protégé, is left to build in his stead. But there is something far more twisted brewing at Wolfspire - the Margrave’s son wants Pirouette to create an assassin. And he wants her to give it life. With Tavia teetering on the brink of war and her father dying in the dungeons, Pirouette has no choice but to accept. Racing against the rise of the next blue moon - the magic that will bring her creations to life - she can't help but wonder, is she making a masterpiece... or a monster?

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Book SynopsisOn the run from the king who banished her and the allies who betrayed her, Enebish travels with Serik and a band of rebels to find the deposed King of Verdenet, who is their only hope of uniting the Protected Territories and bringing peace to Ashkar. Meanwhile, the Sky King's patience with Ghoa has run its course. Enemy forces are bearing down on the Sky Palace, and when Ghoa throws all her power into a last-ditch effort to prove herself, the Sky King and her fellow warriors abandon her. Captured by enemy Zemyans, Ghoa is imprisoned and tortured by the merciless Kartok. Surprisingly, it's not the Sky King he craves information on-but the First Gods, and the very nature of her otherworldly power. Spirits fracture and alliances wither, as the monstrous outcast, the irreverent monk, and the disgraced warrior are drawn into a fight that will shape the course of an empire.

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Book SynopsisCatalina Quiroga is a Condesa without a country. She’s lost the Inkasisa throne, the loyalty of her people, and her best friend. Banished to the perilous Yanu Jungle, Catalina knows her chances of survival are slim, but that won’t stop her from trying to escape. Her duty is to rule. While running for her life, Catalina is rescued by Manuel, the son of her former general who has spent years searching for allies. With his help, Catalina could find the city of gold that’s home to the fierce Illari people and strike a deal with them for an army to retake her throne. But the elusive Illari are fighting a battle of their own - a mysterious blight is corrupting the jungle, laying waste to everything they hold dear. As a seer, Catalina should be able to help, but her ability to read the future in the stars is as feeble as her survival instincts. While searching for the Illari, Catalina must reckon with her duty and her heart to find her true calling, which is key to stopping the corruption before it destroys the jungle completely.

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Book SynopsisThe forest is a dangerous place, where siren song lures men and women to their deaths. For centuries, a witch has harvested souls to feed the heartless tree, using its power to grow her domain. When Owen Merrick is lured into the witch’s wood, one of her tree-siren daughters, Seren, saves his life instead of ending it. Every night, he climbs over the garden wall to see her, and every night her longing to become human deepens. But a shift in the stars foretells a dangerous curse, and Seren’s quest to become human will lead them into an ancient war raging between the witch and the king who is trying to stop her.

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Book SynopsisXimena is the decoy Condesa, a stand-in for the last remaining Illustrian royal. Her people lost everything when the usurper, Atoc, used an ancient relic to summon ghosts and drive the Illustrians from La Ciudad. Now Ximena's motivated by her insatiable thirst for revenge, and her rare ability to spin thread from moonlight. When Atoc demands the real Condesa's hand in marriage, it's Ximena's duty to go in her stead. Using the opportunity to get close to Atoc, she can steal his relic and return the true aristócrata to their rightful place. But a masked vigilante, a warm-hearted princess, and a thoughtful healer challenge Ximena, and her mission becomes more complicated. There could be a way to overthrow the usurper without starting another war, but only if Ximena turns her back on revenge-and her Condesa.

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Book SynopsisThe Soulless is free from his centuries-long imprisonment. Now, he lurks in the Dead Wood recovering his strength, while Sirscha and her allies journey east to the shaman empire of Nuvalyn. Everyone believes she is a soulguide-a savior-but Sirscha knows the truth. She's a monster, a soulrender like the Soulless, and if anyone discovers the truth, she'll be executed. But there's nothing Sirscha won't risk to stop the shaman responsible for the rot that's killing her best friend. While the Soulless is formidable, like all shamans, his magic must be channeled through a familiar. If Sirscha can discover what-or who-that is, she might be able to cut him off from his power. With Queen Meilyr bent on destroying the magical kingdoms, Sirscha finds herself caught between a war brewing in the east and the Soulless waiting in the west. She should be trying to unite what peoples she can to face their common enemies, but instead, her hunt for clues about the Soulless leads to a grim discovery, forcing Sirscha to question who her enemies really are.

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