Book Review of Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu
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The Children’s Book Review
Written by Erika Lewis
Ages 8-12 | 432 Pages
Publisher: Macmillan/Starscape (2023) | ISBN-13: 9781250208323
What to Expect: Celtic mythology, adventure, magic, destiny, family.
In this sequel to The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts, Erika Lewis returns readers to the Otherworld for another whirlwind adventure, this time venturing through the polar opposites of the Lands of Summer and Winter.
Kelcie is no longer a foster kid, desperately searching for the parents who abandoned her … but maybe it would be better if she was. When your long-lost father is an infamous traitor, and your mother is a goddess of war, it can be pretty hard to fit in. Even worse, her mother has come to visit with a dire warning: the Heart of Danu, the source of light and warmth in the Lands of Summer, is in danger. Kelcie and her friends are no longer just students—they’re now eligible for active duty—in other words, they’re going to war. One friend, however, may not be all she seems. Darkness is coming, and whether she likes it or not, Kelcie will have a fight on her hands.
Whimsical descriptions of magical artifacts, like the sidewinders that fire brightly colored jinxes and a wild assortment of fantastical creatures, from wyverns to a swarm-like insect fairy known as “The Tiniest Speck,” bring new regions of the Otherworld to life in vivid detail. Not only has Kelsie grown into a thoughtful and self-reflective leader, but she now has a counterpart. Lexis, a match for Kelcie in determination and grit, offers her own perspective on the war between Summer and Winter, inviting readers to recognize that every story has more than one perspective. Belonging and understanding are strong themes throughout the narrative, with readers ultimately urged to question dichotomies like human/nonhuman, good/evil, and hero/villain.
Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu is a thrilling sequel that plunges readers into an immersive plot. It’s a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure, offering a richly detailed world, complex characters, and a high-stakes quest to save the world.
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About the Author
Erika Lewis is an award-winning author of novels for children and young adults. Her books have been published around the world and have appeared on national lists, including the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books, the Children’s Book Council Teacher’s Favorite Pick, Publisher’s Weekly Notables, Nerd Daily Most Anticipated, and Book Riot’s Must Reads. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, an internship at CNN led to exciting years working in television, developing scripted and reality shows for various studios and networks. Fifteen years later, her first book, Game of Shadows, was optioned by Macmillan, and she’s been writing ever since. She currently resides in Southern California.
For more information, visit www.erikalewis.com.
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