★ 08/10/2020
Two years prior to this tale’s beginning, the Marchena children—dramatic Julian, then 16; practical Noa, then 11; and mischievous Maita, “Mite,” then five—mourn the death of their mother, the queen, on the Florean Archipelago. Soon after her death, they must flee for their lives as royal advisor Xavier Whitethorn stages a coup d’état. In a world with nine magical languages, multilinguals are deemed “dark mages,” prone to villainy; Julian is “the only person in the world—possibly in history—who could speak all nine,” making it easy for Xavier to paint him as dangerous. Two years later, while living on enchanted moving island Astrae, the siblings strive to reclaim their inheritance. Strategist Noa, the only magicless Marchena, is also determined to preserve Julian’s goodness, even as Julian edges toward ruthlessness in his quest for the Lost Words, “magical languages that disappeared a long time ago.” A sly, cake-eating sea serpent; an elderly dragon familiar; and vain otters who can “move in and out of death” make for an endearing supporting cast, while the siblings, with their distinct personalities and inevitable squabbles, make for an authentic focal point. Fans of Eva Ibbotson and Diana Wynne Jones will appreciate Fawcett’s (Ember and the Ice Dragons ) well-paced, wholly imaginative middle grade romp. Ages 8–12. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. (Sept.)
Full of intrigue and adventure, magic and science, Ember and the Ice Dragons will keep you reading all the way to the last icy, breathless page.
Stunning descriptions and well-rounded characters are woven into a story that hums with excitement and adventure.
A hugely inventive and enjoyable fantasy. Pure magic.
2020-06-30
Thirteen-year-old Noa Marchena, along with her elder brother, Julian, and her little sister, Mite, barely escaped from the overthrow of their family’s rule of the Florean Archipelago. Now they plan to retake Julian’s throne from their mobile island base, filled with invisible cats and guarded by a cake-loving sea serpent. Fortunately, Julian is the most gifted mage alive; unfortunately, that very power leaves him vulnerable to becoming an evil Dark Lord—but not if Noa has anything to say about it. Fawcett transforms a fairly conventional premise into a sheer delight with her witty prose and sharply drawn characters. The loving bonds between the bickering Marchena siblings—melodramatic, morally ambiguous Julian; explosive oddball Mite; and brilliant, practical, bossy Noa—are the driving force of the narrative. Minor characters are almost as memorable, and even the villains have complicated, sympathetic motives. The islands make for an interesting setting, with a population representing a range of skin tones (the Marchenas are olive-skinned), gender equality, and a society accepting of different sexualities. The language-based magic system is carefully thought-out, but the Marchenas’ successes rely as much on diplomacy, clever strategy, and meticulous planning. While this volume comes to a satisfying (if not unrealistically triumphant) conclusion, there is (happily) plenty of room left for potential sequels.
A terrific read for fantasy fans. (Fantasy. 10-14)
A sly, cake-eating sea serpent; an elderly dragon familiar; and vain otters who can “move in and out of death” make for an endearing supporting cast, while the siblings, with their distinct personalities and inevitable squabbles, make for an authentic focal point. Fans of Eva Ibbotson and Diana Wynne Jones will appreciate Fawcett’s well-paced, wholly imaginative middle grade romp.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A charming, surprisingly nuanced middle-grade fantasy…. with witty prose and sharply drawn characters.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Readers will roll their eyes in sympathy at the sibling shenanigans Noa has to put up with and cheer as she comes into her own.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for EMBER AND THE ICE DRAGONS: “This highly readable middle grade fantasy adventure wins with its likable heroine and ecological angle.” — School Library Journal
“Fawcett’s story is full of original details that add depth… But it is the richly nuanced primary and secondary characters, as well as the evenhanded inclusion of females as intelligent scientists, that give the story its richness… Fresh and original.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Stunning descriptions and well-rounded characters are woven into a story that hums with excitement and adventure.” — ALA Booklist
“Smart, funny and full of wonder. Part gripping Arctic adventure, part richly woven fantasy, this is the rare type of story that readers will want to visit again and again.” — Kim Ventrella, author of Skeleton Tree and Bone Hollow
“Full of intrigue and adventure, magic and science, Ember and the Ice Dragons will keep you reading all the way to the last icy, breathless page.” — Ruth Lauren, author of Prisoner of Ice and Snow
“A hugely inventive and enjoyable fantasy. Pure magic.” — Claire Fayers, author of The Voyage to Magical North
Praise for EVEN THE DARKEST STARS: “An utterly inventive and wholly original debut.”ALA Booklist
“With a dash of romantic entanglement, a rich original mythology, and a sizzler of a twist at the end, this duology opener will appeal to fans of femalecentric fantasy by such authors as Leigh Bardugo and Sarah Maas.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Cinematically vivid…immersive and absorbing.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Fawcett brings snow-capped mountains—and their baleful secrets—alive in this magical, atmospheric debut.” — Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game and The Crown’s Fate
Smart, funny and full of wonder. Part gripping Arctic adventure, part richly woven fantasy, this is the rare type of story that readers will want to visit again and again.
Readers will roll their eyes in sympathy at the sibling shenanigans Noa has to put up with and cheer as she comes into her own.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Fawcett brings snow-capped mountains—and their baleful secrets—alive in this magical, atmospheric debut.
Readers will roll their eyes in sympathy at the sibling shenanigans Noa has to put up with and cheer as she comes into her own.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Readers will roll their eyes in sympathy at the sibling shenanigans Noa has to put up with and cheer as she comes into her own.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Narrator Caitlin Kelly lends youthful enthusiasm to this charming middle-grade fantasy. Exiled princess Noa Marchena has a lot on her mind. She is openly determined to regain her family’s stolen throne, but she also has a secret mission—to protect her older brother, Julian, from embracing the dark side of his magical powers. With lively pacing, Kelly spurs the action forward as Noa discovers her own magical talents and embarks upon adventures in newly discovered realms. Although many of the themes—grief, forgiveness, and the seductive pull of power—are surprisingly complex, Kelly’s warm, clear delivery keeps the story at an age-appropriate level. This captivating audio, humorous and heartbreaking, will leave listeners eagerly awaiting a return to this uniquely enchanted world. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Narrator Caitlin Kelly lends youthful enthusiasm to this charming middle-grade fantasy. Exiled princess Noa Marchena has a lot on her mind. She is openly determined to regain her family’s stolen throne, but she also has a secret mission—to protect her older brother, Julian, from embracing the dark side of his magical powers. With lively pacing, Kelly spurs the action forward as Noa discovers her own magical talents and embarks upon adventures in newly discovered realms. Although many of the themes—grief, forgiveness, and the seductive pull of power—are surprisingly complex, Kelly’s warm, clear delivery keeps the story at an age-appropriate level. This captivating audio, humorous and heartbreaking, will leave listeners eagerly awaiting a return to this uniquely enchanted world. S.A.H. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
