Scan barcode
edunbar87's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
evamadera1's review against another edition
2.5
I do not think that Sanders knew what he wanted to do in this story or what type of genre he wanted to slot this narrative into. Going into this story I expected fantasy and magic. Then I started reading and encountered a futuristic, postapocalyptic story. This confused me enough that I checked the synopsis again which, sure enough, talks about magic. Eventually, this magic does come into the narrative but when it does, it does not really make sense. I really wanted to enjoy this book but ultimately, I cannot recommend it.
jaime_of_gryffindor's review
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Keynan Masters And The Peerless Magic Crew was a great middle grade read. This book had a great and unique concept. This was such a fun story and the author did a great job creating the world as well as a unique magic system. This was a great start to a new series and I think a lot of middle graders will enjoy reading this book.
In this book, we follow Keynan Masters as works to unlock his magic and learn the secrets of Peerless Academy. He then has to work with his new friends to try to save the school from being destroyed by magic.
Read This If You Like:
π Magic School Settings
π Middle Grade Fantasy
π Great World-Building
π Unique Magic Systems
Overall this was an enjoyable middle grade fantasy and a great way to start a series. Just a heads up though, that this book does end in a cliffhanger. I canβt wait to see how the story continues in the next book.
In this book, we follow Keynan Masters as works to unlock his magic and learn the secrets of Peerless Academy. He then has to work with his new friends to try to save the school from being destroyed by magic.
Read This If You Like:
π Magic School Settings
π Middle Grade Fantasy
π Great World-Building
π Unique Magic Systems
Overall this was an enjoyable middle grade fantasy and a great way to start a series. Just a heads up though, that this book does end in a cliffhanger. I canβt wait to see how the story continues in the next book.
aingealwroth's review
3.0
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.
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.
hmfogel's review
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
bwagner's review
fast-paced
4.0
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.
shrrawat's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
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.
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.
jamachia25's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I didnβt find the main character enjoyable, he was more annoying than anything and the world was confusing for a middle grade read.