The Shadow Queen

April 1, 2017
Kara and Prince Fred's mission to rescue Kara's father turns into saving all of Heldstone.After defeating the evil Sorceress in The Battle for Urth (2016), Kara (a pale-skinned Latina) and Prince Fred (a white Heldstonian) have returned to his castle. But the palace is swarming with dignitaries gathered for the big Luminary Ball, including dangerous-seeming Grand Duke Sturmenburg and Fred's childhood friend, now mean-girl (and aspiring royal bride) Francesca. To eliminate competition for Fred's hand, Francesca locks Kara on a balcony; when Kara escapes to the next balcony, she overhears Sturmenberg and the Sorceress, who's survived as a magical shadow, plotting a coup. Kara and Fred's talking cat, Xyler, manage to save him from the poison but must flee before they can rescue Fred's parents. On the run, they befriend a vegetarian, free-range-chicken-farming troll and liberate all the enslaved acts of a traveling carnival--including the Elektro-Magician, Kara's Argentinian-American electrician father--before turning their attention back to rescuing Fred's poisoned parents. Kara and Fred share the alternating, present-tense narration; their voices are not particularly differentiated, so readers will need to pay attention to chapter-heading cues. The device does, however, help to boost tension by facilitating cliffhanger chapter endings. Heldstone's diversity appears to reside mostly in its magical beings; the book assumes a white default. Lightweight, fluffy fun--especially good for kids just embarking on reading fantasy. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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April 1, 2017
Gr 4-6-Whether or not they've read the first title in this series, fans of fantasy will find this sequel engaging and fast-paced. In The Battle for Urth, Kara discovered that a local theme restaurant held a portal to the fantasy kingdom of Heldstone. Together, she and Prince Fred defeated the Sorceress, who was determined to take over both Heldstone and Earth. Now, Kara must locate her missing father, who she believes is trapped in Heldstone. Prince Fred is eager to help, but the quest is interrupted by a royal ball, a scheming mean girl courtier, an assassination plot, and the Sorceress's shadowy new form. Soon, Fred and Kara are trekking across a countryside teeming with trolls, elves, and talking animals. The writing is clear and humorous, the characters are likable, and the plot moves swiftly with plenty of adventure. VERDICT This should be an easy sell for reluctant readers and devoted fantasy enthusiasts alike.-Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
In Urth, at hokey fantasy-themed restaurant Legendtopia, Kara Estrada accidentally stumbles into the world of Heldstone and unleashes a wicked sorceress on "Urth," whom she must defeat alongside Heldstone's clueless Prince Fred. In Queen, Kara and Fred search for Kara's lost father back in Heldstone. Silliness abounds during the fantastical quests, but there are heartfelt moments within the humor.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)