Potion Masters: The Seeking Serum by Frank L. Cole

Gordy’s life has drastically changed. His entire family is on the run from a newly corrupted B.R.E.W. and from his grandfather’s henchmen. It’s an incredibly tense time knowing that Mezzarix has the Vessel—the beating heart of the potion world. With that kind of power, Mezzarix could overthrow anyone or anything. With no official aid from B.R.E.W., Wanda and Aunt Priss make an unusual alliance with the Swigs—a resistance group of underground potion-makers—to help fight against Mezzarix’s growing forces. Wanting to help during this precarious period, Gordy, Adilene, Max, and Sasha try to brew a seeking serum to find Mezzarix. After several failed attempts while being continually attacked by Mezzarix’s followers, the friends finally succeed at locating him. 

Cole’s final book in his Potion Masters trilogy is a satisfying conclusion to a wonderfully imagined and expertly crafted fantasy. What makes this fantasy so deep and complex are the real-life problems that youth face during times of war and unrest. This includes living life as a refugee, finding allies in unlikely places, and uncovering skeletons in a family’s past. Cole shows that even during times like this, Gordy and his friends discover an inner strength to face it all, including facing the man behind the war. This confident strength comes from knowing that their priorities are pure and right. So by combining their individual gifts, Gordy and his friends are able to stop a war and help rebuild a promising future. With such richness in Cole’s writing, readers will definitely be clamoring for more adventures with Gordy, Adilene, and Max. A fun-filled, action-packed fantasy series great for ages 12 and up.

Dragonwatch: Master of the Phantom Island by Brandon Mull

Unknowingly kidnapped by Ronodin, Seth is taken to Phantom Island, the gateway of the Under Realm. Once there, Ronodin takes advantage of a memory-wiped Seth by developing Seth’s darker powers. Seth and Ronodin sneak inside Blackwell Keep where Seth unleashes the evil undead onto the residents. Kendra sees Seth during the chaos but barely escapes with some of her companions. With Wyrmroost fallen, Kendra and her companions go to the island sanctuary of Crescent Lagoon to help restore the island’s protective power, the Sunset Pearl. Back in the Under Realm, Seth searches for answers to his past from the prisoner Bracken. Bracken desperately explains Seth’s past and Ronodin’s true nature, but their interview is cut short.

In Mull’s third installment of his Dragonwatch series, fans will be taken on a wild ride towards tropical islands, evil underworlds, and into enchanted seas. But there is a deeper side to this story than a grand adventure of stopping dragons from ruling the world. Mull explores the emotional wars a volatile Seth is fighting inside himself. With his memories totally gone, Seth is duped by Ronodin into thinking they are brothers fighting against Kendra’s tyranny. Seth has no choice but to believe Ronodin and together they wreak havoc on Wyrmroost. As time goes by, Seth begins to see Ronodin’s true character through his lies. Seth realizes he is mentally and emotionally wounded from the verbal and emotional abuse dealt out by Ronodin and from living in the oppressive Under Realm. He doesn’t feel comfortable going back to his real friends and family until he can heal some of those wounds and atone for the evil choices he unknowingly made.

Wizard for Hire: Apprentice Needed by Obert Skye

Ozzy Toffy believes his past life is totally behind him. During his adventures in New Mexico, Ozzy learned that his parents are dead, killed by the company that wanted to manipulate their scientific research for financial gains. So Ozzy has moved on, finding a new life and home with Clark, Sigi, and Sigi’s mother. However, Ozzy begins to experience hypnotic trances that draw him unwittingly into the ocean. These life-threatening experiences plunge Ozzy, Rin, Clark, and Sigi back into the world Ozzy’s parents were trying desperately to escape.

Skye reintroduces readers into Ozzy’s magically adventurous coming of age story. At the start of this book, Ozzy has accepted a magical happy ending with his parents is totally gone. This makes him pursue his own realistic ending, thinking it involves living the life of a normal teenager and staying away from anything that once involved his parents. Unfortunately, his parents’ past just won’t leave him alone once the hypnotic trances begin. So more detecting and deduction needs to happen before Ozzy unknowingly drowns himself. Ozzy eventually accepts that his normal life is totally gone when Rin returns and brings magic into Ozzy’s life again. Once he makes this mental switch, Ozzy finds that he has his own fantastical secrets to uncover. This thoughtful and whimsical read will have fans begging for the final book.

Ryan Quinn and the Rebel's Escape by Ron McGee

After living all over the world, eighth-grader Ryan Quinn feels like he can finally call New York City his home. Ryan’s family moved back to the United States when his father began working for the United Nations. While Ryan’s dad is on a UN trip, mercenaries led by General Aung Win, break into Ryan’s home and kidnap his mother, holding her hostage until Ryan can reach his father. After the break-in, Ryan discovers a secret room which holds information on the Emergency Rescue Committee (ER). Ryan’s family is apart of this underground organization dedicated to rescuing key individuals threatened by their tyrannical countries. Ryan's dad is on a secret rescue mission that has gone horribly wrong and only Ryan can fix it.

McGee’s middle-grade series is an action-packed thrill ride from start to finish. Readers are introduced to Ryan Quinn, a good kid who naturally fights for the underdog and cleverly outwits his attackers. Ryan’s tactical gifts are skills his parents trained him to do to survive his global childhood. Unfortunately, these skills are not always appropriate in a school setting. This causes Ryan to feel torn about when he should and shouldn’t fight for others who need help. However, when Ryan is plunged into the world of the Emergency Rescue Committee, he realizes his true calling. Many adventure books have the protagonists miraculously developing stellar survival skills during their times of crisis, which makes the characters less believable or relatable. However, McGee expertly weaves those skills into Ryan’s foundational being making his feats seem more natural and believable. A great read for fans of globe-trotting adventures like Roland Smith’s Peak series or Ally Carter’s Heist Society series.

Potion Masters: The Transparency Tonic by Frank L. Cole

Life has somewhat calmed down for Gordy and his friends since stopping Esmeralda from overthrowing B.R.E.W. (Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide). Because of his potion-mixing skills, Gordy is working on becoming an Elixirist with the help of his two best friends, Max and Adilene. While concocting his potions, Gordy goes into a hypnotic state or “Blind Batching” and unknowingly creates some destructive brews. Because of this, Gordy’s mother loses her job at B.R.E.W. and it’s Chamber President eventually puts a warrant out for Gordy’s arrest.

Cole’s second book in the Potion Master’s series is a thrilling read full of dilemmas and betrayals, but it is also a story about the power of consequences. All Gordy wants to do is hone his natural potion-making skills to become a master Elixirist. While trying to impress the snotty daughter of the new Chamber President by Blind Batching, his actions lead to disastrous consequences. Like many who are naturally gifted, Gordy’s decision to Blind Batch is two fold: to test his limits and gain acceptance from others. Even though Gordy is confident in his skills, it doesn’t mean he’s confident emotionally. Gordy’s closest friendships get sorely tested as he rises too quickly from exploiting his talents. Luckily, Gordy doesn’t fall too far from grace because the consequences of his actions directly affect his family. His unshakeable love for them and his friends’ loyalty help Gordy realign his priorities for using his gifts. This well-written and well-developed book will have readers anxiously anticipating Cole’s next book in his Potion Masters’ series.

Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

Flint hates middle school. All he wants to do is draw the comic book adventures of his superhero, Squint. Flint once liked school and was popular, but that changed when he developed an eye disease that made him lose most of his sight and all his friends. Unfortunately, everyone calls him Squint because he constantly squints behind his thick glasses. Luckily, Flint found purpose in creating his comic book. One day at lunch, a girl named McKell sits by Flint and asks him to complete some random challenges with her. Intrigued, Flint helps McKell even though his eye sight is getting steadily worse. However, through accomplishing these challenges with McKell, Flint learns to find his inner superhero and face down the villain of his self-doubt.

There are two unique ways Morris and Brown have set their story apart. First is that throughout the book Flint shares his life’s lessons by listing humorous yet insightful rules for surviving middle school, understanding relationships, and crafting comic books. Finally, chapters jump from Flint’s real-life challenges to the conflicts the superhero, Squint, faces. At the beginning of the book, Flint retreats from his own trials. Instead he tackles them by turning them into super villains and having Squint fight out a resolution. When McKell enters Flint’s life, Squint’s comic book story changes by including a sidekick, Diamond. Diamond watches Squint’s back and gives him a clearer perspective to the people he once viewed as villains. As Flint grows in confidence and strength, so does Squint. Any fans of comic books and contemporary fiction will enjoy this heartfelt and insightful middle-grade read.

Check out the authors' Blog Tour going on for their book!

League of Archers: The Stolen Crown by Eva Howard

Ellie and her League of Archers have been fighting against Lord de Lay by providing a haven for destitute villagers affected by his tyranny. Ellie’s goal is to create a self-sustaining farm inside Sherwood Forest, but they lack money. With no other choice, the League begins stealing from the rich to help the forest refugees. One of Ellie’s stealing adventures goes horribly wrong when she witnesses King John’s murder, a plot devised by de Lays to take over the throne. Luckily, de Lays’ son, Stephen, helps Ellie escape and then later begs to join the League. Ellie reluctantly agrees, and Stephen’s presence begins to splinter the League’s tight knit bond.

Just as adventurous and suspenseful as the first book, Ellie and her League of Archers get caught up in another evil plot with Lord de Lays, only this time it has royal consequences and friendship casualties. When Ellie lets Stephen de Lays join the League, the only thing she is sure of is his hatred for his father. But Ellie soon learns that Stephen’s hatred doesn’t mean he agrees with every decision Ellie makes as the League’s leader. Stephen’s influence sparks a harsh division between Ellie and her dearest friends, causing the League to almost fall apart. Only by fighting for what she knows is right and finding common ground with Stephen does Ellie finally gain healing and unity with her beloved League of Archers. Another thrilling ride-of-a-read, League of Archers: The Stolen Crown is a fantastic follow-up from Howard’s first book. Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin & Jen Malone

Hannah Jordan is a huge history buff. Luckily, Hannah receives a daily helping of the past because she lives inside a museum with her caretaker father. The Elms, a mansion-turned-museum, was once the home of the prestigious Berwind family during the 1900s. Hannah’s favorite Berwind story concerns the stolen Mary Cassett portrait of the Berwind’s niece, Maggie Dunlap. While walking the hallways of The Elms one night, Hannah looks in a mirror and sees Maggie’s reflection. When both girls touch the mirror, Hannah and Maggie switch bodies and centuries. With no idea how to switch back, the two girls try to play the part of the other person but it’s a difficult adjustment. To ease their transitions, Hannah and Maggie work on solving the art heist from their respective time periods.

The Art of the Swap is a delightful read full of suspense, fun, and friendship. Asselin and Malone do a great job at creating the awkwardness of being placed into a different time period. But there is a real richness to how both Hannah and Maggie are affected by their time-swapping. Hannah can’t act like her usual boisterous, driven self while transplanted into 1905. She must subdue her personality and passions to coincide with the confining social rules of Maggie’s world. Maggie, on the other hand, receives revelations about the freedoms girls have in Hannah’s world. When Maggie returns to the 1900s, she spends her life advocating foundational freedoms for women. Not only is the book about solving an art heist, it is also about appreciating the freedoms women do have today. One item that would have strengthened the story would be to include floorplans of The Elms in the different centuries to better solidify where Hannah and Maggie spend their time in the book.