The Mossheart's Promise, opens a new window, a story about fairies who must escape a 200-year-old terrarium before it is completely overtaken by mold, has the perfect balance of cute and creepy, and the theme of young people having to clean up after the mistakes of older generations is one that will resonate with many middle school readers. Ary and the allies she finds along her underground journey (including a wingless conspiracy theorist; a grumpy, fire-wielding newt; and a shy roly-poly) make for an exceptionally fun cast of characters, and many students will appreciate the inclusion of casual LGBTQ+ representation.
Despite being a bit on the lengthy side in terms of page count, an action-packed plot and Mix’s easy writing style make this a quick read, and the ending gives the reader the best of both worlds with a satisfying resolution to the story told in this volume, as well as an exciting glimpse of the story the next book in the duology will tackle. Fans of The Mossheart’s Promise will want to keep an eye out for the conclusion of this series, The Ghostwing's Lie, which came out October 15!
For more adventure-filled fantasies, try:
Mamo, opens a new window by Sas Milledge
Nura and the Immortal Palace, opens a new window by M. T. Khan
The Secret Library, opens a new window by Kekla Magoon
Wingbearer, opens a new window by Marjorie M. Liu
