The Rapid Reader

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Wizards of Once is the latest middle grade novel by Cressida Cowell, the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series. Wizards and warriors have always been taught to hate each other. The wizards stay in the forbidden Badwoods and the warriors live in their iron castle. But when Xar, a wizard, and Wish, the warrior queen's daughter, meet each other in the woods, they find that they must work together to fight the one thing everyone is afraid of: witches. Sex: None. Language: None. Xar uses his own cursing. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few suspenseful scenes and battles, but nothing too over the top. Final Note: This book was cute, but it wasn't my favorite. It would be a good stepping stone for younger readers who are showing an interest in things like Harry Potter , but who aren't quite old or mature enough for that particular series.

Purchase this book on Amazon here! The Apprentice Witch is a middle grade fantasy novel by James Nicol. When Arianwyn flunks her witch's assessment, she's sent to the town of Lull as an apprentice. Arianwyn is worried that she'll never become a real witch, but when she arrives in Lull, she finds that there are plenty of things requiring her assistance. Along the way, she makes many friends, both human and magical. Sex: None. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are a few attacks and scary scenes. Arianwyn's mother died when she was young. Final Note: I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! It was included in an Owlcrate Jr. box. I've been making my way through the Owlcrate Jr. books and this one did NOT disappoint! A wonderful fantasy book for middle grade readers, this novel also has great lessons regarding friendship and believing in yourself!

Dorothy Must Die is the first book in the YA Dorothy Must Die series by Danielle Page. Amy Gumm wants to escape. Her mother is an alcoholic and everyone at school seems to hate her. But when a tornado strikes and sends her from Kansas to the Land of Oz, Amy discovers she's much stronger than she originally thought. Dorothy has taken over Oz and the love of power has left her evil. Now Amy, the new girl from Kansas, must fight Dorothy, and hopefully bring the magic back to Oz. Sex: None. Amy comments on how seductively Dorothy dresses. Language: Strong. Drug/Alcohol Use: Amy's mother is an alcoholic. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There are several deaths, some gruesome. There's also several battles and fighting. Final Note: While it was an interesting concept and retelling, I didn't particularly care for this book. The language was needlessly strong and the story wasn't as captivating as the original. This is part of a series and I don't in...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Fortune Falls is a junior fantasy novel by Jenny Goebel. It isn't confirmed yet, but Sadie is pretty sure she's an Unlucky. Anytime she's around, things seem to go wrong. Her thirteenth birthday and the Spring Luck Test are both quickly approaching and Sadie is a nervous wreck. If she fails the Luck Test, she'll be sent to a boarding school for unlucky children. Is there any chance that someone as unlucky as she may find some luck before the test? Sex: None. The characters are twelve and thirteen and while there's a few mentions of crushes, there's nothing serious. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Sadie lost her father the year before and blames herself. All of the unlucky characters are in a constant state of worry and anxiety. Sadie's little brother goes missing for a little while. There's a suspenseful scene involving a train. Final Note: A really cute ...

Purchase this book on Amazon here!   Three Dark Crowns is a YA fiction New York Times' Bestselling novel by Kendare Blake. On the island of Fennbirn, sets of triplets are born every generation. Each sister has her own gift: a poisoner, an elemental, and a naturalist. Raised separately since the age of six, the sisters develop their gifts in preparation for their sixteenth birthday. One of them will be crowned queen: after she kills the others. Sex: There are a couple of sex scenes but they aren't graphic or very detailed. The biggest thing is that sex is discussed very flippantly. Language: None. Drug/Alcohol Use: None, besides a sleeping powder. Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Death is a big part of this book. In order for a queen to be crowned, the other two queens must die. Several people are killed, wounded, or maimed. There's a lot of suspense. Final Note: I loved this book! It was such a unique fantasy novel. Although a little dark, there was l...