The Earl and The Fairy, Volume 1

July 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-This book has the look and feel of a true manga title, complete with two battling men and a flustered female who wishes she were stronger. Lydia is wide-eyed and innocent, described as having hair the color of "rust," while Huxley and Edgar are smoldering, with long bangs and serious eyes. Edgar is most likely the good guy, but that could change throughout the plot. Huxley is a thief, with a band of brothers on the prowl, who abduct Lydia, a fairy doctor who may know how to find the famous Star Sapphire. Edgar, claiming to be the descendant of the Blue Knight, a fairy ruler and friend of the king, swoops in to rescue her. However, he also wants the Star Sapphire to prove his claim to the Earldom his father left. Lydia and her talking cat (a fairy in feline form) are stumped by the good guy/bad guy scenario as well. The story has hints of romance, plenty of fantasy, a bit of violence, and just enough Pride and Prejudice-style manners to interest female readers. As the book ends with a cliff-hanger, libraries need to commit to buying the whole series.-Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.