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A review by wrenreads2025
The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman
4.0
This is a fun book about the power of books and reading. It took me a while to get hooked. The first third of the book seemed a bit derivative with its strong direct and indirect references to The Chronicles of Narnia (well, and Faust). About half way through, the book found its own voice and plot, which helped carry it through.
Hartman employs many classic conflicts of middle grade (fitting in, trying to gain some independence from authority figures despite the limits placed on tweens, dealing with bullies, etc.) However, she uses fantasy to make these ordinary problems extraordinary. Magic doesn't always provide a quick fix; sometimes it creates additional layers of conflict. There is no such thing as an easy fix. That's a great lesson for people who don't have the aid of magic.
Hartman employs many classic conflicts of middle grade (fitting in, trying to gain some independence from authority figures despite the limits placed on tweens, dealing with bullies, etc.) However, she uses fantasy to make these ordinary problems extraordinary. Magic doesn't always provide a quick fix; sometimes it creates additional layers of conflict. There is no such thing as an easy fix. That's a great lesson for people who don't have the aid of magic.