Reviews written by Mark Buxton

What worked: Ramya is a witch-in-training who is trying to unlock her magical abilities. One thing she can do that others cannot is to see through Glamours that camouflage Hidden Folk. She can spot every troll, vampire, or fae she encounters and she’s immune to the hypnotic songs...

What worked: The narrator’s voice is written in the present tense and tells the story of Beti’s life with her family and friends in the woods. It’s divided into four sections based on the four seasons. The author connects the different sections by opening with the same two...

What worked: The story is told from Semma’s point of view as she lives in an orphanage with her twin sister Trooni. They retrieve their cousin, Rascal, to search for their only living relative, an old, estranged uncle named Bumbrain. Their previous guardian’s last wish was that the...

What worked: Jack Broom is an endearing character who balances doing his apothecary duties for Old Mother Cobb with avoiding her beatings for being late or messing up. He scrapes together any money he has to buy medical books as he dreams of becoming a surgeon’s apprentice. He’s...

What worked: The author presents a dramatic hook as readers meet the two main characters adrift in the water off the coast of Florida. Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock had just survived a boat explosion after sneaking on and hiding from the owner and his crew. The setting...

What worked: The Pangean Hotel is a curious setting where spies freely roam the hallways and rooms after their worldwide missions. It’s a sanctuary for them and houses the Pangean League, an ancient international association dedicated to maintaining world peace. Its spies are committed to helping people in...

What worked: This book immediately creates a conflict between Ronan and the Evers. Ronan is psychic, like most of his relatives, and he learns from his aunt that psychics and Evers are enemies. Evers can steal Ronan’s psychic power but he can kill Evers through extended physical contact....

What worked: Each chapter begins with a few lines sharing facts relevant to the following events. Mountain climbing is a major part of the story and readers will learn much about it. The first chapter shares information about Atlas’s first mountain climb to the summit of Kings Peak...

What worked: The plot is a missing-person story with Lena trying to find her older brother Kay-Kay. It’s kind of a locked-door mystery as Kay-Kay was on a moving train when he went to bed but there’s no evidence of how he disappeared when passengers unload the next...

What worked: The book presents three cousins with contrasting personalities. Readers are immediately introduced to Jorge’s risk-taking when he accepts a neighbor’s dare to climb onto his garage roof and do a handstand. Camila is more logical and likes to follow the rules. However, she silently dreams of...

What worked: Lydia’s “family” is comprised of unrelated characters who share a deep affection for each other. The Z twins are mischievous characters, part elf and part human, who enjoy playing pranks on others and making boisterous entrances when they choose to appear. Their impulsiveness creates a conflict...

What worked: The book’s tone is reminiscent of old children’s books or fairy tales. An old puppeteer named Silvester donates his old puppets to a museum and thinks back to happy times traveling and performing with his deceased wife Belinda. He makes one last puppet from scrap parts...

What worked: The story is told in first-person from Melody’s point of view. Cerebral palsy has confined her to a wheelchair and it’s difficult for her to control her muscles. She utilizes a computer-like machine called a Medi-Talker that she’s named Elvira. Elvira allows her to “speak” by...

What worked: From the book’s synopsis, readers already know Viktor’s parents are vampires but Viktor himself is a mystery. The sight of blood makes him dizzy although it doesn’t affect him while playing his favorite video game. He’s often battling a zombie apocalypse with his best friend Damon...

What worked: Vivian is uncertain about starting a new school year but her cousin Owen’s emotional conflict is a bigger issue. Owen is involved in a car accident that sends him to the hospital, but his best friend has more serious injuries. Owen is traumatized in the aftermath...