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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
“Humans had a genius for devising instruments of death”
Pure magic. Laini Taylor has a beautiful way of writing fantastical stories and Guardians of Dreamdark was no different. I had a lot of fun with this world and the characters and can’t wait to see what book 2 brings!
My favourite chapters were with Bellatrix and the dragons, I loved learning that history! Even if it was such a small part. All the different world building was so interesting and delivered in such a smooth way. Magpie is a sweet and very naive girl but it was great to see her growth. I could definitely tell it was YA but I know I would have adored this book as tween! I’m looking forward to seeing Magpie’s future development.
This is the type of fantasy that I lose myself in because it’s so routed in folklore and fairytales. Taylor writes her worlds as if you’re entering a dream, every word is a beautiful little breadcrumb waiting to take you through a journey of whimsy and magic.
4/5 ⭐️
Release date: 4th September 2025
Thankyou @teambkmrk for gifting me a beautiful early proof!
Pure magic. Laini Taylor has a beautiful way of writing fantastical stories and Guardians of Dreamdark was no different. I had a lot of fun with this world and the characters and can’t wait to see what book 2 brings!
My favourite chapters were with Bellatrix and the dragons, I loved learning that history! Even if it was such a small part. All the different world building was so interesting and delivered in such a smooth way. Magpie is a sweet and very naive girl but it was great to see her growth. I could definitely tell it was YA but I know I would have adored this book as tween! I’m looking forward to seeing Magpie’s future development.
This is the type of fantasy that I lose myself in because it’s so routed in folklore and fairytales. Taylor writes her worlds as if you’re entering a dream, every word is a beautiful little breadcrumb waiting to take you through a journey of whimsy and magic.
4/5 ⭐️
Release date: 4th September 2025
Thankyou @teambkmrk for gifting me a beautiful early proof!
I fell in love with Laini Taylor’s writing when I first read Daughter of Smoke And Bone in high school, so when I saw she was doing a rerelease of her debut middle grade novel, of course I jumped on it. However, I will admit that there are parts of this that really didn’t age well and perhaps should have been edited out… the use of the g-slur as a mere descriptor without any true nods to or particular care given to Romani culture was a major nope for me.
I really loved the old sort of fairy-tale quality to the writing in this book. The characters are interesting and distinct personalities. Davina Porter does a lovely job on the audiobook version.
I am sorely disappointed.
Magpie Windwitch is a faerie who travels with her found family of crows hunting devils when she finds the worst one. One thought vanquished long ago who brings darkness.
Magpie sets out to find a way to bottle up the devil.
I think I went in with the wrong expectations. I adore Laini Taylor, but this was middle grade and there was so much going on. Too much for such a small book.
I was there for the Tinkerbell vibes, but descriptions were rushed over and I couldn’t visualise anything.
The found family was sweet, but we never had enough time to feel settled and names were thrown at you constantly. Background characters who had no purpose other than filling the scene.
This is a republishing of an old book Laini Taylor wrote, but I think this could have gone through more edits.
Arc gifted by Hatchette Children’s.
Magpie Windwitch is a faerie who travels with her found family of crows hunting devils when she finds the worst one. One thought vanquished long ago who brings darkness.
Magpie sets out to find a way to bottle up the devil.
I think I went in with the wrong expectations. I adore Laini Taylor, but this was middle grade and there was so much going on. Too much for such a small book.
I was there for the Tinkerbell vibes, but descriptions were rushed over and I couldn’t visualise anything.
The found family was sweet, but we never had enough time to feel settled and names were thrown at you constantly. Background characters who had no purpose other than filling the scene.
This is a republishing of an old book Laini Taylor wrote, but I think this could have gone through more edits.
Arc gifted by Hatchette Children’s.
Very fun fairy series for the major fantasy reader. Magpie is a loveable character who was easy to get behind. Grades 5+
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
The cover and concept sounded so intriguing that I thought this would be a fun read.
Unfortunately, the writing feels clumsy/clunky and made following story hard to stay engaged.
The magic of the story has all the elements I’d want in a book: fairies, animal familiars, big elemental baddies; and the story has all of these in plethora. However, I never really felt connected to Mags the FMC. I did like that the book broke the Disney myth of Djinns being “wish fulfilling” and more “I’m going to release Pandora’s Box, and eat everyone”. I liked the NPC’s (animals, fairies, and devils oh my!) that popped up, but there are so many of them, it was difficult to remember who was who. If you/your students like to read books with budding romances included, they may enjoy this, but the “romance” is very ‘lite’ with the typical lifesaving scenarios and character physical change at the end .
Like the authors note says at the end of the book, the characters have a heavy on the Scottish voice.
Unfortunately, the writing feels clumsy/clunky and made following story hard to stay engaged.
The magic of the story has all the elements I’d want in a book: fairies, animal familiars, big elemental baddies; and the story has all of these in plethora. However, I never really felt connected to Mags the FMC. I did like that the book broke the Disney myth of Djinns being “wish fulfilling” and more “I’m going to release Pandora’s Box, and eat everyone”. I liked the NPC’s (animals, fairies, and devils oh my!) that popped up, but there are so many of them, it was difficult to remember who was who. If you/your students like to read books with budding romances included, they may enjoy this, but the “romance” is very ‘lite’ with the typical lifesaving scenarios and
Like the authors note says at the end of the book, the characters have a heavy on the Scottish voice.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Laini Taylor wrote one of my favorite duology, Strange the Dreamer and Muse of Nightmares. I could not wait to read this book. Unfortunately, the writing in particular the dialog between characters kept me from engaging in the story. I did not enjoy the reading experience and decided not to continue with the book.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes