The Conjuring Glass

March 25, 2013
After the loss of her mother, 13-year-old Penny is sent to live with her godmother in the small town of Dogwood. There, she befriends fellow newcomer Zoe. Everything changes when a talking fox leads the two girls to a hidden hollow, where they find a magic wand and a book that initiates them into the magical tradition of the Phoenix Girls. As they try to master their newfound powers, they attempt to unravel the secrets of a traveling magician who seems tied into a rash of disappearances. The mission becomes personal for Penny after she suspects that the man may also be connected to her past. Unanswered questions and an episodic tone give this first book in the Phoenix Girls series a somewhat fragmentary air, which may frustrate readers interested in seeing more of this world. Still, Knight (They Call Us Monsters) makes a solid transition into YA from his previous horror and dark fantasy work; unexpected plot developments, wish fulfillment, and an eerie atmosphere combine to make the adventure a quick but entertaining fantasy-mystery. Ages 12âup.