A review by cakt1991
Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew by DaVaun Sanders

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 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!