Grim Lovelies

July 1, 2018

Gr 8 Up-This series starter by the author of "The Madman's Daughter" and "Cage" trilogies presents a magical world that is layered beneath our own. For centuries, the realm of magic-which follows an intense and elaborate hierarchy-has been quietly running the planet by strategically enchanting objects that influence political decisions and drive the economy. All of this maneuvering is invisible to Pretties, the regular old humans that are being influenced. The story centers around Anouk, servant girl to a powerful and cruel witch. Anouk and her friends are Beasties, or animals that have been enchanted to human form to serve the magical elite. When Anouk's witch is murdered, she and her fellow Beasties race the clock in a dangerous heist in order to stop the reversal of their enchantments before they go back to animal form forever. The Beasties' wild chase through the streets of Paris and rooms of enchanted estates is heavy on magical rules and new information, which bogs down the suspense and relationship building. The ending is left wide open for a sequel; hopefully future volumes will move along at a faster clip. An unexplored thread featuring a Beastie in love with the witch's son he was created to protect shines through and begs for more exploration. VERDICT Purchase where there are fans of magical worlds and the author.-Beth McIntyre, Madison Public Library, WI

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2018
Servants or saviors?In a rich, magical world overlaid upon an unsuspecting present-day Paris, servant Anouk is one of five beasties, animals enchanted into human form, in the household of Mada Vittora. Unable to step foot outside the door, they gaze out of windows, observing the everyday lives of the Pretties (humans) while caring for the household. Anouk endures the daily cruelties of the woman she views as both mother and master. One night the beasties find Mada Vittora mysteriously murdered in her bedroom and decide to run. Anouk and her family now have three days from the death of the witch to find another magic handler who can either recast the spell or they will revert to the dark and fear-filled existence of their animal forms. This story is about family, discovery, and redefining yourself: Through her trials, Anouk transforms from a helpless servant to an empowered leader who discovers the true origins of the existence of beasties. Characters are diverse, including white, Asian, black, and brown-skinned individuals, and one character is transgender. In addition, the side tale of "The Swan Mirror," a fairy tale told by one of the characters, is both well-integrated into the plot and trans-friendly.This tightly-paced novel will leave readers demanding sequels that explore more of Anouk's epic journeys. (Contemporary fantasy. 14-17)

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September 17, 2018
The first book in this fairy tale–inspired series by Shepherd (The Gauntlet) overflows with intricately imagined characters in a contemporary world flavored with hints of Alice in Wonderland–style action. Anouk is a beastie—an animal turned human servant via magic in a world ruled by witches. She and the house’s other beasties serve their creator and cruel mistress, Mada Vittora, in modern Paris, despite their inability to go out of doors and their abuse at the witch’s hands. When Luc, the unofficial leader of the house’s five beasties, goes missing and Mada Vittora is found dead, Anouk and the others must flee the ruling class known as Shadow Royals to escape being blamed and to discover the spell that will keep them human in three days—before the witch’s soul, and her enchantments, disappear. This deliciously dark tale examines societal norms while imagining the darker side of fairy tales. Ages 14–up. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary.

August 1, 2018
Grades 8-11 The Haute sits securely at the top of Europe's magical hierarchy, where its Shadow Royal and Witch members keep watch over all, from Goblins (fashion-obsessed and party-crazed) to Pretties (human). Anouk and her fellow Beasties rank lowest of all, having been transformed from animal into human shape to serve Mada Vittora, one of Paris' most powerful witches. Having lived her human life as a maid confined to her mistress' townhouse, Anouk dreams of exploring Paris, but her sheltered life is obliterated when someone murders Mada Vittora. Suddenly she's on the run with Beau, Mada Vittora's Beastie chauffeur, searching for the witch's other enchanted servants and someone to recast the spell that will prevent them from turning back into animals. Shepherd (The Madman's Daughter?, 2013) takes classic fairy tale tropes in an interesting, albeit dark, direction in this new duology. Fantasy lovers will revel in Anouk's layered world, not to mention the relationships that develop among the Beasties and their unexpected allies. Their pell-mell race against the clock brims with danger and self-realization, carefully crafted to entrance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)