Brightdreamer's Book Reviews

 


 

Image of Little Gryphon

Myth-Based, Folklore, and Legendary Stories

Greek gods, Arthurian knights, and other inspirations.

Zorro: Fiction, Adventure/Historical Fiction: ****
Three Hearts and Three Lions; The Holger Danske series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Everworld series; The Everworld series, Books 1 - 12: Fiction, YA Fantasy
The Lost Years of Merlin; The Merlin Saga, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Dragons; The Jim Henson's Storyteller series: Fiction, CH? Anthology/Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Bradamant's Quest: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Wake of Vultures; The Shadow series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Western: ****
The Nonexistent Knight (translated by Archibald Calhoun); The Our Ancestors series, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Humor: ****
Ring Shout: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Horror: *****
Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising Sequence, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Dark is Rising; The Dark is Rising Sequence, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
Juliet Dove, Queen of Love; A Magic Shop book, Book 5: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Ghost in the Third Row; The Nina Tanleven Mysteries, Book 1: Fiction, CH Chiller/Mystery: *****
The Ghost Wore Gray; The Nina Tanleven Mysteries, Book 2: Fiction, CH Chiller/Mystery: *****
The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed; The Nina Tanleven Mysteries, Book 3: Fiction, CH Chiller/Mystery: *****
Space Station Ice-3: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: ***
Odds are Good: Fiction, CH Collection/Fantasy: *****
Oddest of All: Fiction, CH Collection/Fantasy: ***+
Bruce Coville's Book of... Anthologies (editor): Fiction, CH Anthology/Chiller/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: *****
Bruce Coville's Strange Worlds (editor): Fiction, CH Anthology/Sci-Fi: *****
A Glory of Unicorns (editor): Fiction, CH Anthology/Fantasy: *****
Half-Human (editor): Fiction, MG Anthology/Fantasy: *****
William and the Lost Spirit: Fiction, MG? Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ***
The Very Best of Charles de Lint: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy: ***+
Merlin's Book of Magick and Enchantments: Fiction, Fantasy/Magic: **
Pyramid Scheme (with Dave Freer); The Pyramid series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Sci-Fi: ***
The Celestial Omnibus and Other Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy: **+
American Gods; The American Gods series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Fragile Things: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Humor/Poetry/Sci-Fi: ****
The Graveyard Book: Fiction, MG/YA Fantasy/Horror: ****+
Odd and the Frost Giants: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Sandman Volume 1: Preludes and Nocturnes, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Sam Keith; The Sandman series, Issues 1 - 8: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
The Sandman Volume 2: The Doll's House, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Mike Dringenberg and Malcom Jones III; The Sandman series, Issues 9 - 16: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
Hounded; The Iron Druid Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories 2018 (editor, with John Joseph Adams): Fiction, Anthology/FantasySci-Fi: ****
The Summer Tree; The Fionavar Tapestry trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Dark World: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Firebird; The Fairy Tales series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
The Haunted Mesa: Fiction, Action/Sci-Fi/Western: **+
Dragon Pearl; A Rick Riordan Presents novel: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ****+
Elatsoe: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****+
A Snake Falls to Earth: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
The Dragon and the Stars (with Eric Choi, editors): Fiction, Anthology/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Book of Beasts: Color and Discover, illustrations by Angela Rizza: Fiction, CH Mythology/Novelty Book: ***+
Flying Snakes & Griffin Claws: Nonfiction, Folklore/History: ****
Once & Future (with A. R. Capetta); The Once & Future series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ***
A Diversity of Dragons (with Richard Woods), illustrations by John Howe: Fiction, Fantasy/Media Tie-In: ***
The Girl in the Green Silk Gown; The Ghost Roads series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ****+
Angel of the Overpass; The Ghost Roads series, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ****
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Song for the Basilisk: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (Dugald A. Steer, "editor"); The Wizardology series: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Novelty Book: *****
The Wizardology Handbook (Dugald A. Steer, "editor"); The Wizardology series: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Novelty Book: ****
Gods of Jade and Shadow: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ****
Merlin's Mistake; The Merlin's Mistake series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Fur Magic; The Magic Sequence, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***+
Dragon Magic; The Magic Sequence, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Catfantastic I - IV (with Martin H. Greenberg, editors); The Catfantastic series: Fiction, Anthology/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
The United States of Cryptids: Nonfiction, Cryptozoology/Travel: ***+
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Ikenga: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Lagoon: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Enyclopedia of Things that Never Were (with Robert Ingpen): Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Valkyrie Rising: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Hero for Hire; The Eno the Thracian series, Book 1: Fiction, Action/Fantasy/Humor: ***+
The Lost City of the Monkey God: Nonfiction, Cultures/History/True Stories: ****
Cold Cereal; The Cold Cereal Saga, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: ****+
The Red Pyramid; The Kane Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Lightning Thief; The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Sea of Monsters; The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Titan's Curse; The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Battle of the Labyrinth; The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Last Olympian; The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Book 5: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Root Magic: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ***+
The Alchemyst; The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **+
How to Survive a Sharknado and Other Unnatural Disasters: Fiction, Humor/Media Tie-In: *****
Gilgamesh the King: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ***+
Nimona: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ****+
Lumberjanes Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max (with Shannon Watters), illustrations by Brooke A. Allen; The Lumberjanes series: Fiction, MG? Adventure/Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ****
Lumberjanes Vol. 8: Stone Cold (with Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Grace Ellis, and Brooke Allen), illustrations by Maarta Laiho and Carey Pietsch; The Lumberjanes series: Fiction, MG? Adventure/Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ****
An Ember in the Ashes; The Ember in the Ashes series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Coyote's Daughter; The New Legends of the Southwest, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***+
The Once and Future King: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Alif the Unseen: Fiction, Fantasy: **

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New Age and Occult

Books about, or inspired by, New Age themes - astral projection, meditation, tarot cards, and more.

The Learned Art of Witches and Wizards: Nonfiction, Magic: ***
Sherlock Holmes: The Breath of God; The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series: Fiction, Historical Fiction/Mystery: ***+
The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (editor): Fiction, Anthology/Horror/Mystery/Sci-Fi: ***+
City of the Beasts; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Kingdom of the Golden Dragon; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Forest of the Pygmies; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 3: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Animal-Speak: *****
The Diviners; The Diviners series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Mystery: ***+
The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols: Nonfiction, Magic: ****
Invisible Prison; The Invisible Recruits Novellas, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Hollow Kingdom: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Sci-Fi: **+
Childhood's End: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Witches of Lychford; The Witches of Lychford series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
The Amulet of Doom; The Chamber of Horrors series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Horror: *****
Spirits and Spells; The Chamber of Horrors series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Horror: ****
Eyes of the Tarot; The Chamber of Horrors series, Book 3: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Horror: *****
Waiting Spirits; The Chamber of Horrors series, Book 4: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Horror: *****
Afar: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Fortune-Telling: Nonfiction, Folklore/Magic/Reference: ****
The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Spells & Magic: Nonfiction, Folklore/Magic/Reference: ****
The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Superstitions: Nonfiction, Folklore/Magic/Reference: ****
Merlin's Book of Magick and Enchantments: Fiction, Fantasy/Magic: **
The Concise Lexicon of the Occult: Nonfiction, Magic/Reference: ****
The Giant Book of Magic: Nonfiction, Magic: ***
Fragile Things: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Humor/Poetry/Sci-Fi: ****
The Sandman Volume 1: Preludes and Nocturnes, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Sam Keith; The Sandman series, Issues 1 - 8: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
The Sandman Volume 2: The Doll's House, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Mike Dringenberg and Malcom Jones III; The Sandman series, Issues 9 - 16: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
Odin's Gateways: Nonfiction, Magic: ****
The Complete Book of Amulets & Talismans: Nonfiction, Magic: ****
The Ghost Pirate's Treasure: Mystery of the Jaguar Warrior; The Paranormally Yours series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Romance: **+
Monsters: An Investigator's Guide to Magical Beings: Nonfiction, Magic/Paranormal: *****
10% Happier: Nonfiction, Autobiography/Self-Help: ****
Ask and It is Given: Nonfiction, New Age/Self-Help/Spirituality: ****
Eyewitness Books: Witches and Magic Makers: Nonfiction, MG? Magic: ****
Full Throttle: Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
Heart-Shaped Box: Fiction, Horror: ****+
Star Cats: A Feline Zodiac: Nonfiction, New Age/Pets: ****
Low Road West, illustrations by Miquel Muerto Flaviano; Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, YA Graphic Novel/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Divination: Nonfiction, Folkore/Magic: ****+
Crown of Serpents; The Tununda Mysteries series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller: **
Hello, Universe: Fiction, CH General Fiction: ***+
Tarot for Writers: Nonfiction, Creativity/New Age/Writing: ***+
The Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter (with Elizabeth Kronzek): Nonfiction, MG? Folklore/Media Reference: ****
The Fire Rose; The Elemental Masters Fairy Tales: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
The Serpent's Shadow; The Elemental Masters series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Firebird; The Fairy Tales series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
You Slay Me; The Aisling Grey, Guardian series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Romance: ***+
The Book of Alchemy: Nonfiction, History/Magic: ***
Catfantastic I - IV (with Martin H. Greenberg, editors); The Catfantastic series: Fiction, Anthology/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
The Full Guide to Becoming a Real Wizard, Witch or Necromancer: Nonfiction, Magic: **
Even Though I Knew the End: Fiction, Fantasy/Mystery: ****+
The Dragon Slayer With a Heavy Heart: Fiction, Fantasy/Spirituality: ***
Mysteries of the Unexplained: Nonfiction, Paranormal: ***
Reader's Digest Facts and Fallacies: Nonfiction, Paranormal: ***
How to Get A Billion Dollar Idea: Nonfiction, Self-Help: **
Living Wisdom: Animal Spirits: Nonfiction, Animals/Folklore: ****
The Alchemyst; The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **+
Strange Practice; A Dr. Greta Helsing novel, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The World's Most Incredible Stories: The Best of the Fortean Times (editor): Nonfiction, Unexplained Phenomena: ***
The Raven Boys; The Raven Cycle, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Romance: ***+
The Jewel of Seven Stars: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ***
The Amulet of Samarkand; The Bartimaeus trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Golem's Eye; The Bartimaeus trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Ptolemy's Gate; The Bartimaeus trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Ring of Solomon; A Bartimaeus novel: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****+
The Amulet of Samarkand (with Andrew Donkin), illustrations by Nicolas Chapuis and Lee Sullivan; A Bartimaeus graphic novel, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Magick Made Easy: Nonfiction, Magic: ***+
Sweep: Book of Shadows; The Sweep series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
The Power of Gemstones: Nonfiction, Folklore/Gemstones: *****
Kasey and His Dragon: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *

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Pirates and Thieves

Cutlass-bearers and cutpurses.

Endling #1: The Last; The Endling series, Book 1: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: *****
Endling #2: The First; The Endling series, Book 2: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ****+
Along the Saltwise Sea; The Up-and-Under series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Senlin Ascends; The Books of Babel series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Arm of the Sphinx; The Books of Babel series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Hod King; The Books of Babel series, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Six of Crows; The Grishaverse: The Six of Crows duology, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *****
Crooked Kingdom; The Grishaverse: The Six of Crows duology, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *****
Peter Pan: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***+
Peter and the Starcatchers (with Ridley Pearson); The Starcatchers series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Nick of Time; The Nick McIvers Adventures Through Time series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***
Fox & Phoenix; The Lóng City series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Doll Bones: Fiction, MG Chiller/Fantasy: ****
Swordquest: Realworld (with Chris Sims), illustrations by X Ghostwriter; The Swordquest series, Issues 0 - 5: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Vengeance Road; The Vengeance Road series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Western: ****+
Retribution Rails; The Vengeance Road series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Western: ****
Beauty Queens: Fiction, YA Humor/Thriller: *****
The Diviners; The Diviners series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Mystery: ***+
Pulp, illustrations by Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips: Fiction, Action/Graphic Novel/Historical Fiction/Western: ****
The Blacktongue Thief; The Blacktongue Thief series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: *****
The Emperor's Edge; The Emperor's Edge series, Book 1: Fiction, Action/Fantasy: ****
Flash Gold; The Flash Gold Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Stormsinger; The Storms in Amethir series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Ink and Bone; The Great Library series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Flunked; The Fairy Tale Reform School series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
House of Dragons; The House of Dragons series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Crownchasers; The Crownchasers series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: ****
Thronebreakers; The Crownchasers series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: ****
Winds of Marque; The Blackwood & Virtue series, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Wiz Biz II: Cursed and Consulted; The Wizardry series, Books 3 and 4: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: **
Babylon's Ashes; The Expanse series, Book 6: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
The Expanse #1 (with Corinna Sara Bechko), illustrations by Alejandro Aragon; The Expanse series, Issue 1: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In/Sci-Fi: ****
The Expanse #2 (with Corinna Sara Bechko), illustrations by Alejandro Aragon; The Expanse series, Issue 2: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Expanse #3 (with Corinna Sara Bechko), illustrations by Alejandro Aragon; The Expanse series, Issue 3: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In/Sci-Fi: ****
The Expanse #4 (with Corinna Sara Bechko), illustrations by Alejandro Aragon; The Expanse series, Issue 4: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In/Sci-Fi: ****
The Expanse: Dragon Tooth, Volume 1 (with Andy Diggle), illustrations by Rubine; The Expanse: Dragon Tooth series, Issues 1 - 4: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In/Sci-Fi: ****+
My Lady's Choosing (with Larissa Zageris): Fiction, Gamebook/Historical Fiction/Humor/Romance: ***
The Exiled Fleet; The Divide series, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Fire & Heist: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Kings of the Wyld; The Band series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: *****
The Thief Lord: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***+
River of Teeth; The River of Teeth series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Fortunately, the Milk: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Humor/Sci-Fi: ****
On the Far Side of the Mountain; The My Side of the Mountain series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Adventure: ****
Pirate's Passage: Fiction, MG Adventure/General Fiction: ****
Scales & Scoundrels: Into the Dragon's Maw, illustrations by Galaad; The Scales & Scoundrels series, Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ****
Scales & Scoundrels: Treasurehearts, illustrations by Galaad; The Scales & Scoundrels series, Issues 6 - 10: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ***+
The Princess Bride: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ****
The Ghost Pirate's Treasure: Mystery of the Jaguar Warrior; The Paranormally Yours series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Romance: **+
The Third Man: Fiction, Media Tie-In/Mystery: ****
The Kingless Land; The Band of Four series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Deathstalker; The Deathstalker series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***+
The Darkslayer: Wrath of the Royals (with Ernie Chang); The Darkslayer series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: *+
The Magic Misfits; The Magic Misfits series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/General Fiction: ****
The Floating Island; The Symphony of Ages series: The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Thief Queen's Daughter; The Symphony of Ages series: The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Girl from Everywhere; The Girl from Everywhere series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **+
Goblin Quest; The Jig the Goblin series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ****+
Ship of Magic; The Farseer World: The The Liveship Trader Trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Mad Ship; The Farseer World: The Liveship Trader Trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Ship of Destiny; The Farseer World: The Liveship Trader Trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
The Darwin Elevator; The Dire Earth Cycle, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***+
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories 2018 (editor, with John Joseph Adams): Fiction, Anthology/FantasySci-Fi: ****
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: The Road to Neverwinter; The Dungeons & Dragons series: Fiction, Adventure/Fantasy/Media Tie-In: ***+
Under an Outlaw Moon: Fiction, Crime/Historical Fiction/Thriller: ****
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****
The Depths: Fiction, Adventure/Thriller: **
By Sword, Stave or Stylus: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy: ***
Survival; The Island trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, MG Action/Thriller: ***+
Escape; The Island trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, MG Action/Thriller: ****
Jade City; The Green Bone Saga, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
Piratica; The Piratica series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Humor: *****
Piratica II; The Piratica series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Humor: ***
Swords and Deviltry; The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Collection/Fantasy: ****
Swords Against Death; The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, Book 2: Fiction, Adventure/Collection/Fantasy: ****
Swords in the Mist; The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, Book 3: Fiction, Adventure/Collection/Fantasy: ***+
The Chronicles of Narnia; The Chronicles of Narnia series, Books 1 - 7: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: ****
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: ****
First Watch; The Fifth Ward series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Mystery: ****
The Ruin of Kings; A Chorus of Dragons, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Dragon Killer; The Reckoning of Dragons series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Caverns of Socrates: Fiction, Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
Bloody Jack; The Bloody Jack Adventures, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Historical Fiction: *****
The Curse of the Blue Tattoo; The Bloody Jack Adventures, Book 2: Fiction, YA Adventure/Historical Fiction: ****
Under the Jolly Roger; The Bloody Jack Adventures, Book 3: Fiction, YA Adventure/Historical Fiction: ****
Stealing Mr. Right; The Penelope Blue series, Book 1: Fiction, Romance: ***
Have Sword, Will Travel (with Sean Williams); The Have Sword, Will Travel series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Rover; The Rover series, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ***
Velocity Weapon; The Protectorate series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Chaos Vector; The Protectorate series, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Catalyst Gate; The Protectorate series, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Ikenga: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates (with Patrick O'Brien), illustrations by Patrick O'Brien; The Captain Raptor series, Book 2: Fiction, CH Adventure/Picture Book/Sci-Fi: ****
Finder; The Finder Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Driving the Deep; The Finder Chronicles, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
The Scavenger Door; The Finder Chronicles, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Seafire; The Seafire trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Sci-Fi: **+
Six-Shooter Tales; The Six-Shooter series, Book 1: Fiction, Collection/Western: ****
Sandry's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Tris's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Daja's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Briar's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Alanna: The First Adventure; The Tortall universe: The Song of the Lioness series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
In the Hand of the Goddess; The Tortall universe: The Song of the Lioness series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man; The Tortall universe: The Song of the Lioness series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Lioness Rampant; The Tortall universe: The Song of the Lioness series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
True Grit: Fiction, Western: ****
Tyrannosaur Canyon; The Wyman Ford series, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Sci-Fi/Thriller: ****
Larklight; The Larklight series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Humor/Sci-Fi: **+
Story Thieves; The Story Thieves series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: ****+
Secret Pizza Party, illustrated by Daniel Salmieri: Fiction, CH Humor/Picture Book: ****
When They Find Us; The Agent Victoria Heslin series, Book 3: Fiction, Action/Mystery/Thriller: **
The Waking Fire; The Draconis Memoria series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Captain Blood; The Captain Blood series, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Historical Fiction: ***+
The Alloy of Law; The Mistborn series: The Wax and Wayne series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Western: ***
The Athena Protocol; The Athena Protocol series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Action/Thriller: ****
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
A Darker Shade of Magic; The Shades of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Priory of the Orange Tree: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
Unwanted: Dead or Alive; The Buck and Dobie series, Book 1: Fiction, Humor/Western: ****
Coda Vol. 1, illustrations by Matias Bergara; The Coda series: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Treasure Island: Fiction, MG? Adventure: ***+
The Bone Shard Daughter; The Drowning Empire series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Shards of Earth; The Final Architecture series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Guns of the Dawn: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Rip Haywire and the Curse of Tangaroa; A Rip Haywire graphic novel: Fiction, Action/Graphic Novel/Humor: *****
Rip Haywire Blows UP!; A Rip Haywire collection, Book 2: Fiction, Action/Comics/Humor: ****+
The Accidental Highwayman; The Kit Bristol series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Fantasy: **+
The Thief; The Queen's Thief series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
California Bones; The Daniel Blackland series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Steel: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Into the Riverlands; The Singing Hills Cycle, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
Envy of Angels; A Sin du Jour Affair, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: **+
Quantum Mechanics: Fiction, CH? Graphic Novel/Sci-Fi: ****
Artemis: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***+
Wanted: A Western Story Collection: Fiction, Anthology/Western: ***
Princeless: The Pirate Princess, illustrations by Rosy Higgens and Ted Brandt; The Princeless series, Volume 3: Fiction, MG? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ****
A Sky So Big (with Karl Beckstrand): Fiction, Romance/Western: ***
The Copper Promise; The Copper Cat series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Leepike Ridge: Fiction, YA Adventure: ***+
The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains: Fiction, Western: ****
Beyond the Bright Sea: Fiction, MG Historical Fiction: ***+
Mairelon the Magician; The Mairelon series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **
Dragon and Thief; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 1: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ****
Dragon and Soldier; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 2: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ****
Dragon and Slave; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 3: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ****
Dragon and Herdsman; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 4: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ***+
Dragon and Judge; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 5: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ****
Dragon and Liberator; The Dragonback Adventures, Book 6: Fiction, YA Action/Sci-Fi: ***+

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Plants, Trees, and Fungi

The wonder of weeds, the magic of maples, the spectacle of spores.

All the Birds in the Sky: Fiction, Fantasy/Sci-Fi: **
Wishtree: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****+
Wolfwood: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Horror: ****
The Ghosts of Evolution: Nonfiction, Prehistoric Life/Nature/Science: ***+
The Ancient One; The Adventures of Kate series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Curious Garden: Fiction, CH Picture Book: ****
Midnight at the Well of Souls; The Well of Souls series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
The Little Prince (translated by Richard Howard): Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
Flesh and Fire; The Vineart War trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****
Full Throttle: Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
The Hollow Places: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ****
Swordheart: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Romance: ***
Aliens in the Backyard: Plant and Animal Imports into America: Nonfiction, Nature: ***+
Half-Human (editor): Fiction, MG Anthology/Fantasy: *****
Polaris: Fiction, MG Historical Fiction/Horror/Sci-Fi: ***
Uprooted: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****+
Sandry's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Tris's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Daja's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Briar's Book; The Circle of Magic series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Age of Myth; The Legends of the First Empire series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Age of Swords; The Legends of the First Empire series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Silver in the Wood; The Greenhollow duology, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Chilling Effect; The Chilling Effect series, Book 1: Fiction, Humor/Sci-Fi: ***
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Space Opera: Fiction, Humor/Sci-Fi: *****
A Fire Upon the Deep; The Zones of Thought series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***+
Let Them Eat Shrimp: Nonfiction, Nature: ****
Ashes of the Sun; The Burningblade & Silvereye series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Thickety: A Path Begins; The Thickety series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Horror: ****+
The Hidden Life of Trees: Nonfiction, Nature/Science: ****+

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Portal Adventures

Via rabbit hole or wormhole, plunge into other worlds, often quite distant from our own.

The Library of Ever; The Library of Ever series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Rebel in the Library of Ever; The Library of Ever series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Three Hearts and Three Lions; The Holger Danske series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Demons Don't Dream; The Xanth series, Book 16: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Humor: **
Dream a Little Dream (with Julie Brady): Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Everworld series; The Everworld series, Books 1 - 12: Fiction, YA Fantasy
Small Spaces; The Small Spaces quartet, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Horror: ****
Dead Voices; The Small Spaces quartet, Book 2: Fiction, MG Horror: ****
Over the Woodward Wall; The Up-and-Under series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Along the Saltwise Sea; The Up-and-Under series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
Into the Windwracked Wilds; The Up-and-Under series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****+
Under the Smokestrewn Sky; The Up-and-Under series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Abarat; The Abarat series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **
Peter Pan: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***+
The Wizard of Oz; The Oz series, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Sea Fairies; A Trot and Cap'n Bill Adventure, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***
Great Classic Science Fiction: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
Journey; The Journey trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book: ****+
Quest; The Journey trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book: ****+
Return; The Journey trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Picture Book: ****+
A Hollow World: Down the Rabbit Hole; Series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
The Clockwork Cathedral; The Time Corps Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+
Swordquest: Realworld (with Chris Sims), illustrations by X Ghostwriter; The Swordquest series, Issues 0 - 5: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Faerie Wars; The Faerie Wars Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Driftwood: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Practice Effect: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **
Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold!; The Magic Kingdom of Landover series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ****
Fairy Metal Thunder; The Songs of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
A Princess of Mars; The Barsoom/John Carter of Mars series, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***
Storybound; The Storybound series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Dragon Companion; The Dragon Companion series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *
The Best of Lewis Carroll: Fiction, CH? Essays/Fantasy/Poetry: ***+
Midnight at the Well of Souls; The Well of Souls series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Bad Unicorn; The Bad Unicorn trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: ****
The Invisible Library; The Invisible Library series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Wiz Biz; The Wizardry series, Books 1 and 2: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ***
The Wiz Biz II: Cursed and Consulted; The Wizardry series, Books 3 and 4: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: **
Doon (with Lorie Langdon); A Doon novel, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Romance: ***
William and the Lost Spirit: Fiction, MG? Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ***
The Dragon and the George; The Dragon Knight series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Daughter of Mythos; The Daughter of Mythos series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **+
Fire & Heist: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Knight's Castle; Tales of Magic, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***+
Dragons in a Bag; The Dragons in a Bag series, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****+
The Neverending Story: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: ***
Magician: Apprentice; The Riftwar Saga, Book 1: **+
Pyramid Scheme (with Dave Freer); The Pyramid series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Sci-Fi: ***
The Celestial Omnibus and Other Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy: **+
Cat-A-Lyst: Fiction, Humor/Sci-Fi: **
Inkheart; The Inkheart trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, MG : *****
Inkspell; The Inkheart trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, MG : ****
Inkdeath; The Inkheart trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, MG : **
Coraline: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Horror: ****
Neverwhere: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Stardust: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
InterWorld (with Michael Reaves); The Inter World series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
Die Volume 1, illustrations by Stephanie Hans; The Die series, Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Empress of Forever: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+
The Book Jumper: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
The Magicians; The Magicians series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
A Spindle Splintered; The Fractured Fables series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
A Mirror Mended; The Fractured Fables series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
Full Throttle: Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
The Librarian: Little Boy Lost; The Librarian series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Stranger Things: The Other Side, illustrations by Stefano Martino and Keith Champagne; A Stranger Things graphic novel, Volume 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror/Media Tie-In: ***+
The Secret of Platform 13: Fiction, CH Fantasy/Humor: **+
The Lives of Christopher Chant; The Chronicles of Chrestomanci, Book 2: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ***
Dark Lord of Derkholm; The Derkholm series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Humor: *****
The Merlin Conspiracy: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
The Divide; The Divide trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: ****
The Talisman (with Peter Straub); The Jack Sawyer trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ***+
Dragons vs. Drones; The Dragons vs. Drones series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Book of Story Beginnings: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Dark World: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
The Haunted Mesa: Fiction, Action/Sci-Fi/Western: **+
Beyond the Open Door: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***
George Grove and the Dragon; The George Grove series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *
The Chronicles of Narnia; The Chronicles of Narnia series, Books 1 - 7: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: ****
Eccentric Circles: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Merchant of Death; The Pendragon series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **
Furthermore: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Every Heart a Doorway; The Wayward Children series, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: *****
Down Among the Sticks and Bones; The Wayward Children series, Book 2: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Horror: *****
Beneath the Sugar Sky; The Wayward Children series, Book 3: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: *****
In an Absent Dream; The Wayward Children series, Book 4: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: *****
Come Tumbling Down; The Wayward Children series, Book 5: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Horror: *****
Across the Green Grass Fields; The Wayward Children series, Book 6: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****+
Where the Drowned Girls Go; The Wayward Children series, Book 7: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****+
Lost in the Moment and Found; The Wayward Children series, Book 8: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****+
An Accident of Stars; The Manifold Worlds series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
Un Lun Dun: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Here, There be Dragons; The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
The Search For the Red Dragon; The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
The Curious World of Shelley Vendor: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *+
The Transall Saga: Fiction, MG Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***
Diadem: Book of Names; The Diadem series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Diadem: Book of Signs; The Diadem series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Diadem: Book of Magic; The Diadem series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Diadem: Book of Thunder; The Diadem series, Book 4: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Diadem: Book of Earth; The Diadem series, Book 5: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Crap Kingdom: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Humor: ****+
Story Thieves; The Story Thieves series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: ****+
Avalon: Circles in the Stream; The Avalon: Web of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ***
Guardians Inc.: The Cypher; The Guardians Incorporated series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
The Kaiju Preservation Society: Fiction, Humor/Sci-Fi: ***+
Broken: A Mystical Trip Through Oz; The Mystical Trip Through Oz series, Book 1: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: *
A Darker Shade of Magic; The Shades of Magic series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Jim Henson's Labyrinth Coronation: Volume 1; The Labyrinth Coronation series, Issues 1 - 4: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Media Tie-In: ***+
The Iron Dragon's Daughter: Fiction, Fantasy: *
Blood for Wolves; A Figments Fable: Fiction, Fantasy/Romance: ****
Dragon's Green; The Worldquake series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
The Woods Volume 1: The Arrow; The Woods series, Issues 1 - 4: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
The Woods Volume 2: The Swarm; The Woods series, Issues 5 - 8: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
The Woods Volume 3: New London; The Woods series, Issues 9 - 12: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Horror/Sci-Fi: ****
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making; The Fairyland series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There; The Fairyland series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two; The Fairyland series, Book 3: Fiction, MG/YA Fantasy: ****+
The Boy Who Lost Fairyland; The Fairyland series, Book 4: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ****+
The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home; The Fairyland series, Book 5: Fiction, MG/YA Fantasy: *****
The Glass Town Game: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Behind the Canvas: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Scarlet and the Keepers of Light; The Scarlet Hopewell series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***+
Kasey and His Dragon: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *
Mirror World: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **
The Dragons of Ordinary Farm (with Deborah Beale); The Ordinary Farm Adventures, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **
Birthright Volume 1: Homecoming, illustrations by Andrei Bressan; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 2: Call to Adventure, illustrations by Andrei Bressan; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 3: Allies and Enemies, illustrations by Andrei Bressan; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 4: Family History, illustrations by Andrei Bressan; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 5: Belly of the Beast, illustrations by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 6: Fatherhood, illustrations by Andrei Bressanand Adriano Lucas; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 7: Blood Brothers, illustrations by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 8: Live by the Sword, illustrations by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Birthright Volume 9: War of the Worlds, illustrations by Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas; The Birthright series: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ***+
Fables: Legends in Exile, Volume 1; The Fables series, Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
100 Cupboards; The 100 Cupboards series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Dandelion Fire; The 100 Cupboards series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Chestnut King; The 100 Cupboards series, Book 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **+
The Castle in the Attic; The Castle in the Attic series, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Battle for the Castle; The Castle in the Attic series, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***
John Dies at the End; The John Dies at the End series, Book 1: Fiction, Horror/Humor: ***+
I Hate Fairyland Volume 1: Madly Ever After; The I Hate Fairyland series, Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Humor: ***

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Religious and Spiritual Themes

Stories with religious themes and and spiritual overtones, or with belief systems central to the tale.

The Dragon's Path; The Dagger and the Coin series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
City of the Beasts; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Kingdom of the Golden Dragon; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Forest of the Pygmies; The Memories of the Eagle and the Jaguar series, Book 3: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ****
Three Hearts and Three Lions; The Holger Danske series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Coward; The Quest for Heroes series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Serafina and the Black Cloak; The Serafina series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Horror: ***
Cat Hisstory: A Feline Tour Through the Ages (with text by Frederica Templeton): Fiction, CH Picture Book: ****
City of Stairs; The Divine Cities series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
The Clockwork Cathedral; The Time Corps Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+
The Diviners; The Diviners series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Mystery: ***+
Driftwood: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
A Bad Spell in Yurt; The Royal Wizard of Yurt series, Volume 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ***
Running With the Demon; The Word and the Void trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Between Two Fires: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction/Horror: ****+
The Suicide Motor Club: Fiction, Horror: ****
Penric's Demon; The World of the Five Gods universe: The Penric & Desdemona series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Cora and the Nurse Dragon: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***+
Hollow Kingdom: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Sci-Fi: **+
Speaker for the Dead; The Enderverse Universe: The Ender Quintet, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: *****
Xenocide; The Enderverse Universe: The Ender Quintet, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Children of the Mind; The Enderverse Universe: The Ender Quintet, Book 4: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Shadow Puppets; The Enderverse Universe: The Shadow series, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Don Quixote (translated by Walter Starkie): Fiction, General Fiction/Humor: ***+
Midnight at the Well of Souls; The Well of Souls series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
A Psalm for the Wild-Built; A Monk and Robot book, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
The Black God's Drums: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ****+
A Dead Djinn in Cairo; A Dead Djinn Universe novella: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ****
A Master of Djinn; The Dead Djinn Universe series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: *****
House of Dragons; The House of Dragons series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
The Armored Saint; The Sacred Throne series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Wish List: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Humor: *****
Thieving Forest: Fiction, Historical Fiction: ****
Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising Sequence, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Dark is Rising; The Dark is Rising Sequence, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
Ghost Hawk: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ****
Leviathan Wakes; The Expanse series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Caliban's War; The Expanse series, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Abaddon's Gate; The Expanse series, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
The Vital Abyss; An Expanse novella: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Cibola Burn; The Expanse series, Book 4: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Nemesis Games; The Expanse series, Book 5: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Babylon's Ashes; The Expanse series, Book 6: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Persepolis Rising; The Expanse series, Book 7: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Tiamat's Wrath; The Expanse series, Book 8: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Leviathan Falls; The Expanse series, Book 9: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Memory's Legion; The Expanse novellas: Fiction, Collection/Sci-Fi: ****
Doon (with Lorie Langdon); A Doon novel, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy/Romance: ***
Jupiter Winds; The Jupiter Winds series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: **+
The Tea Master and the Detective: Fiction, Mystery/Sci-Fi: ***
William and the Lost Spirit: Fiction, MG? Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ***
Traitor's Blade; The Greatcoats series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
A Christmas Carol: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Rebel Genius; The Rebel Geniuses series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: Nonfiction, Autobiography: ****+
Holy Cow: Fiction, General Fiction/Humor: ***
Race the Sands: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
King's Dragon; The Crown of Stars series, Volume 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Neverending Story: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: ***
Nightingale; The Nightingale series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *+
The Sword and the Cross: Two Men and an Empire of Sand: Nonfiction, Biography/History: ***+
Black Sun Rising; The Coldfire trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
When True Night Falls; The Coldfire trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Crown of Shadows; The Coldfire trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
American Gods; The American Gods series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Fragile Things: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Humor/Poetry/Sci-Fi: ****
Neverwhere: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
The Sandman Volume 1: Preludes and Nocturnes, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Sam Keith; The Sandman series, Issues 1 - 8: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
The Sandman Volume 2: The Doll's House, 30th Anniversary Edition, illustrations by Mike Dringenberg and Malcom Jones III; The Sandman series, Issues 9 - 16: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel/Horror: ***
The Third Man Factor: Nonfiction, Psychology/Survival: ****
Die Volume 1, illustrations by Stephanie Hans; The Die series, Issues 1 - 5: Fiction, Fantasy/Graphic Novel: ****
Flesh and Fire; The Vineart War trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: ****
Three Parts Dead; The Craft Sequence, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Empress of Forever: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+
God Game: Fiction, Fantasy/General Fiction: ****
The Kingless Land; The Band of Four series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Riders of the Purple Sage: Fiction, Western: ***
Self / Made, illustrations by Eudardo Ferigato and Marcelo Costa; Issues 1 - 6: Fiction, YA? Graphic Novel/Sci-Fi: ***+
Metropolis: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+
Fly By Night; The Fly By Night series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **
Welcome to Jesusland! (Formerly the United States of America)(with Andrew Bradley and Eric Walker)>: Fiction, Humor: ****+
Seraphina; The Seraphina series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***+
When the Sky Fell on Splendor: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: **
Wizard's Heir; The Familiar Dragon series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy/Mystery: ****
Raybearer: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****+
The Shadow of What Was Lost; The Licanius Trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories 2018 (editor, with John Joseph Adams): Fiction, Anthology/FantasySci-Fi: ****
Blessed Lands Egypt: Fiction, Fantasy/Romance: *
Eclipse Volume 1, illustrated by Giovanni Timpano; The Eclipse series, Issues 1 - 4: Fiction, Graphic Novel/Sci-Fi: ****
The Dark Tower I: Gunslinger; The Dark Tower series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
It: Fiction, Horror: ****+
The Mist: Fiction, Horror: ****+
The Talisman (with Peter Straub); The Jack Sawyer trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ***+
Swordheart: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Romance: ***
The Glasswright's Apprentice; The Glasswright's Saga, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
By Sword, Stave or Stylus: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy: ***
Dreamscapes: Creating Magical Angel, Faery & Mermaid Worlds in Watercolor: Nonfiction, Art: ****
Ancillary Justice; The Imperial Radch trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
The Silver Metal Lover; The S.I.L.V.E.R. series, Book 1: Fiction, Romance/Sci-Fi: ***+
Carmilla: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ***+
The Tombs of Atuan; The Earthsea Cycle, Book 1: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ***
A Wrinkle in Time; The Time Quintet, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Chronicles of Narnia; The Chronicles of Narnia series, Books 1 - 7: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: ****
The Giver; The Giver quartet, Book 1: Fiction, YA Sci-Fi: ****
The Ruin of Kings; A Chorus of Dragons, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
The Princess and the Goblin: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***+
The Merchant of Death; The Pendragon series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **
Dragonfold and Other Adventures: Fiction, YA? Collection/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: **+
Bitterwood; The Dragon Age series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ***
Promise of Blood; The Powder Mage trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
An Accident of Stars; The Manifold Worlds series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
The Water Mirror; The Dark Reflections Trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
Beowulf: Fiction, Fantasy/Poetry: ****
Paradise Lost: Fiction, Fantasy/Poetry: ****
Sheepfarmer's Daughter; The Deed of Paksenarrion Trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
Gods of Jade and Shadow: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ****
Burn: Fiction, YA? Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ***
The Keys to the Kingdom: Mister Monday; The Keys to the Kingdom series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
Binti; The Binti trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****+
Binti: Home; The Binti trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Binti: The Night Masquerade; The Binti trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Lagoon: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Beasts Made of Night; The Beasts Made of Night series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***+
The Merciful Crow; The Merciful Crow series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *****
The Faithless Hawk; The Merciful Crow series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *****
Too Like the Lightning; The Terra Ignota series, Book 1: Fiction, Literary Fiction/Sci-Fi: **
Felidae; The Felidae series, Book 1: Fiction, Mystery: ****
Even Though I Knew the End: Fiction, Fantasy/Mystery: ****+
Small Gods; A Discworld novel: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: *****
The Illustrated Good Omens (with Neil Gaiman), illustrations by Paul Kidby: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor/Media Tie-In: ****+
Nation: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Sharcano; The Sharkpocalypse Trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Action/Humor/Sci-Fi: ***+
The Golden Compass; The His Dark Materials series, Book 1: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ***
No Such Thing as Dragons: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
The Tiger's Daughter; The Ascendant series, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Fantasy: *****
Guardians Inc.: The Cypher; The Guardians Incorporated series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ***
The Demon Awakens; The DemonWars Saga, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: **
Mistborn: The Final Empire; The Mistborn series: The Mistborn trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
The Well of Ascension; The Mistborn series: The Mistborn trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Hero of Ages; The Mistborn series: The Mistborn trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
The Alloy of Law; The Mistborn series: The Wax and Wayne series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Western: ***
The Way of Kings; The Stormlight Archive, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Words of Radiance; The Stormlight Archive, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
Warbreaker: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Strange Practice; A Dr. Greta Helsing novel, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Way Station: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
The Priory of the Orange Tree: Fiction, Fantasy: **+
Frankenstein: Fiction, Horror/Sci-Fi: **+
Gilgamesh the King: Fiction, Fantasy/Historical Fiction: ***+
Nightwings: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Endymion Spring: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***
The Evolution of the Dragon: Nonfiction, Essays/Mythology: ***+
We Shall Sing a Song into the Deep: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
High House; The Evenmere Chronicles, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: *
Dracula: Fiction, Horror: ***
The Jewel of Seven Stars: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ***
Age of Myth; The Legends of the First Empire series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Age of Swords; The Legends of the First Empire series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Iron Dragon's Daughter: Fiction, Fantasy: *
Children of Time; The Children of Time series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ****
Sweep: Book of Shadows; The Sweep series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
The Thief; The Queen's Thief series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Comfort Me With Apples: Fiction, Fantasy/Horror: ****
Six-Gun Snow White: Fiction, Fantasy/Western: ***+
The Hunt for Elsewhere: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: **
A Pale Light in the Black; The NeoG series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: ***
Envy of Angels; A Sin du Jour Affair, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: **+
Quintessence; The Quintessence series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Dragon Wing (with Tracy Hickman); The Death Gate Cycle, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
Elven Star (with Tracy Hickman); The Death Gate Cycle, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Fire Sea (with Tracy Hickman); The Death Gate Cycle, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Serpent Mage (with Tracy Hickman); The Death Gate Cycle, Book 4: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Hand of Chaos (with Tracy Hickman); A Death Gate novel, Book 5: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Into the Labyrinth (with Tracy Hickman); A Death Gate novel, Book 6: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Seventh Gate (with Tracy Hickman); A Death Gate novel, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
The Dragons of Autumn Twilight (with Tracy Hickman); The Dragonlance Saga: Chronicles trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***
The Thickety: A Path Begins; The Thickety series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy/Horror: ****+
Caliban's Hour: Fiction, Fantasy: **
Shadowmarch; The Shadowmarch series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ****
Shadowplay; The Shadowmarch series, Book 2: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
Shadowrise; The Shadowmarch series, Book 3: Fiction, Fantasy: *****
Shadowheart; The Shadowmarch series, Book 4: Fiction, Fantasy: ****+
The Castle in the Attic; The Castle in the Attic series, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
The Battle for the Castle; The Castle in the Attic series, Book 2: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ***
Insubordinate Spirit: Nonfiction, History: **
Sister Emily's Lightship and Other Stories: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: ****
The Young Merlin Trilogy; The Young Merlin trilogy, Books 1 - 3: Fiction, MG Fantasy: **

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Retro Tales

Recent tales with throwback styles.

Nick of Time; The Nick McIvers Adventures Through Time series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***
Plain Kate: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ***+
Sorcerer to the Crown; The Sorcerer to the Crown series, Book 1: Fiction, Fantasy/Humor: ***+
Dragon Rider; The Dragon Rider series, Book 1: Fiction, CH Fantasy: ****
A Rip Through Time: The Dame, the Doctor, and the Device (with Chad Eagleton, Garnett Elliot, and Charles A. Gramlich, authors; David Cranmer, editor); A Rip Through Time series, Volume 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **
Fragile Things: Fiction, Collection/Fantasy/Horror/Poetry/Sci-Fi: *****
Arabella of Mars; The Aventures of Arabella Ashby, Book 1: Fiction, YA? Adventure/Sci-Fi: ****
Arabella and the Battle of Venus; The Aventures of Arabella Ashby, Book 2: Fiction, YA? Adventure/Sci-Fi: ****
Arabella the Traitor of Mars; The Aventures of Arabella Ashby, Book 3: Fiction, YA? Adventure/Sci-Fi: ****
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ****+
Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates (with Patrick O'Brien), illustrations by Patrick O'Brien; The Captain Raptor series, Book 2: Fiction, CH Adventure/Picture Book/Sci-Fi: ****
Airborn; The Airborn series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: *****
Skybreaker; The Airborn series, Book 2: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Starclimber; The Airborn series, Book 3: Fiction, YA Fantasy: ****
Too Like the Lightning; The Terra Ignota series, Book 1: Fiction, Literary Fiction/Sci-Fi: **
The Keeper and the Rune Stone; The Black Ledge series, Book 1: Fiction, CH? Fantasy: **
Pax, illustrations by Jon Klassen: Fiction, CH? General Fiction : ****
Larklight; The Larklight series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Humor/Sci-Fi: **+
The City Beyond the Sands; The Strange Lands Saga, Book 1: Fiction, Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***
The Wendy (with Steven Brown); The Tales of the Wendy series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Fantasy: **+
Rip Haywire and the Curse of Tangaroa; A Rip Haywire graphic novel: Fiction, Action/Graphic Novel/Humor: *****
Rip Haywire Blows UP!; A Rip Haywire collection, Book 2: Fiction, Action/Comics/Humor: ****+
The Accidental Highwayman; The Kit Bristol series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Adventure/Fantasy: **+
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her Own Making; The Fairyland series, Book 1: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There; The Fairyland series, Book 2: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two; The Fairyland series, Book 3: Fiction, MG/YA Fantasy: ****+
The Boy Who Lost Fairyland; The Fairyland series, Book 4: Fiction, MG? Fantasy: ****+
The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home; The Fairyland series, Book 5: Fiction, MG/YA Fantasy: *****
The Glass Town Game: Fiction, MG Fantasy: ****
Osmo Unknown and the Eightpenny Woods: Fiction, MG Fantasy: *****
The Cloud Roads; The Books of the Raksura series, Volume 1: Fiction, Fantasy: ***+
Emilie and the Hollow World; The Emilie series, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Fantasy: ***+
Leviathan; The Leviathan trilogy, Book 1: Fiction, YA Adventure/Sci-Fi: ***+
Behemoth; The Leviathan trilogy, Book 2: Fiction, YA Adventure/Sci-Fi: ****+
Goliath; The Leviathan trilogy, Book 3: Fiction, YA Adventure/Sci-Fi: ****
Night Train to Rigel; The Quadrail series, Book 1: Fiction, Sci-Fi: **+

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