A review by marylannireads
The Age of Enchantment by Anna James

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

 

Juniper Quinn has always known she was different from the other people in her small hometown of Honeyvale. In confirmation of her intuition, Juniper discovers she is a rare Enchanter, and she must soon depart to further her education at the prestigious Thistledown Academy. Rafferty, Juniper’s twin brother, quickly finds himself apprenticing at a bookbindery near Thistledown, and as the siblings begin their independent journeys, they realize there is more to magic than they ever expected. This first in the Chronicles of Whetherwhy series places readers in the fantasy land of Whetherwhy, where everyone has a little bit of magic inside them. Framing the narrative are interludes wherein a grandfather is recounting the story to his grandchildren. These moments provide readers with a welcome respite during which they can reflect on the occurrences that have taken place within the novel. Occasional illustrations pepper the text and these, alongside the brief chapters, grant the story a quality that makes it accessible to younger middle grade readers. Fans of both the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series will appreciate the element of a magical boarding school that is included in this book, and the worldbuilding gives readers a strong sense of where Juniper exists despite Whetherwhy being different from reality. Engaging, action-filled writing keeps readers engaged as the story unfolds, and moments of peril balance with calmer scenes to provide a dynamic narrative experience. Primed for a sequel, this novel is a positive series starter and a fun addition to library collections for middle grade readers.