Thank you to Inkshares for sending me a copy for review! If you haven't read Matt Harry's guest post, Death to the Chosen Ones, click here!
The much-anticipated sequel to Sorcery For Beginners is here! "If you're looking for someone who's got the spell-books covered, you might want to turn to fiction: Matt Harry's Sorcery for Beginners books are a fun getaway for any age." ―BuzzFeed Six weeks have passed since teenage sorcerers Trish, Owen, and Perry defeated a team of ruthless anti-magic mercenaries called the Euclideans. When they learn that the world’s cryptids (aka magical creatures) are disappearing, they’re partnered with brusque team leader Jacinda Greyeyes and their former nemesis Bryan Ferretti in a mission to travel all over North America, collecting famous cryptids like the jackalope, the chupacabra, and the altamaha-ha. But after another team of teenage sorcerers suddenly vanishes, the spellcasters set out for Germany, Egypt, and the Seychelles to uncover why the Euclideans have been abducting and experimenting on magical creatures like the unicorn and the Sphinx. The secrets they uncover threaten to divide them and reveal a truth that will permanently upend the way the world sees sorcery. A bit of a first for me: reading and reviewing a sequel without reading the first book in the series. It went well! Careful world building and explanations gave sufficient context for the story, and I was able to grasp the story easily. I really liked the concept of a book focusing on magical creatures and cryptids, which made the whole story feel unique. This will definitely appeal to readers who are interested in animal rights! The whole novel is filled with excerpts from the field guide, with illustrations of cryptids and notes on their origins and mythology, which is a fun way to bring different cultures and history into the novel. There are also notes on magical objects, spells, and the Euclidians—the main villains—embedded in the text to give context for readers who are just starting the series. For me, this was helpful, as I hadn’t read the previous novel, but I wonder if the references to Sorcery for Beginners would become tedious to any reader who had started the series from the beginning. Either way, the multi-media aspect of the novel was engaging and helped me visualize various parts of the world. The plot itself is well-paced and adventurous, introducing different characters and continents to keep the reader on their toes. Various chase and capture scenes in which the characters dashed all over North America were interspersed with character-building moments. I enjoyed reading from Trish’s perspective. She has a lot of room to grow as a character in her perception of herself and others, and it was rewarding to see her learn from her mistakes and use magic to help others. I also have to mention: Trish likes girls, which makes Cryptozoology a fantastic novel for young readers who are exploring their sense of identity and sexual orientation. I’m so glad to be able to recommend another middle grade novel featuring a sapphic main character. Overall, I give Cryptozoology for Beginners 4/5 stars for its wonderful characters and adventures. I recommend this novel for readers interested in conservation and animal rights efforts!
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The BaronessHey, I'm Shreya! I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click the above link and make a purchase.
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