Middle Grade Madness! discussion

Meet Sandra:
I looove fantasy, no matter if it's targeted towards a middle grade, YA, new adult or adult audience, and I think it's especially satisfying when you find a hidden gem that becomes a new favorite.

Sandra’s Favourite Genres:
Fantasy (and romance, although not necessarily together).

Connect with Sandra on Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...

Sandra’s MG Recommendations:
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane by Julia Nobel
Sandra’s thoughts:
This is a mystery novel that's basically dark academia for kids. You get the cool, English boarding school setting (that reminded me a bit of Hogwarts, but without magic), the obscure secret society, and lots of mysteries to uncover. A really fun read!

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison
Sandra’s thoughts:
The first in a fairy tale-esque fantasy series about three sisters who desperately want an adventure, and about the adventure they get instead. This one's very sweet and charming, and I think it's perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon.

Half Upon a Time by James Riley
Sandra’s thoughts:
This is your classic fairy tale, full of quests and adventures, with lots of references to the classic fairy tales. If you're looking for a funny fantasy, this one's for you.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen
Sandra’s thoughts:
A great bridge between middle grade and young adult (and vice versa), with many twists and great character work.

Sandra’s YA Recommendations:
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
Sandra’s thoughts:
In my opinion, the truest hidden gem of all. This standalone YA fantasy is a deconstruction of the portal fantasy genre, and it will captivate your heart page by page. Keep in mind that it's more character focused than worldbuilding, though. I'd say go into it not knowing much, and enjoy the ride; if this one's for you, I think it'll stay with you for a long time.

Strange Grace by Tessa Gratton
Sandra’s thoughts:
A dark forest, a witch who made a pact with a devil once upon a time, a town who sacrifices their "best boys" to keep everything under control, and three main characters whose voices are so powerful. This one's special.

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn
Sandra’s thoughts:
The story told in Almond is beautiful, heartbreaking and it will stir all your feelings. The author manages to discuss very powerful things through a style that is quite simple, yet very touching. And the characters, oh the characters... (I'm looking at you, Gon). If you pick this one, prepare to feel all the emotions.

I read and really liked The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane - Excellent choice for an MG read. I've heard a lot about A Pinch of Magic - all good. Half Upon a Time and The False Prince are books that were on my classroom shelf for years, but I never read either although they were very popular - especially The False Prince.

I’ve read The False Prince and it was every bit as brilliant as the person who recommended it to me said it would be. The (view spoiler)[ plot twist at the end and the unreliable narrator (hide spoiler)] really solidified it as a 5 star book.

But there’s some mystery for me surrounding this book. I remember someone recommending this to me. When I finished it I thanked my friend for recommending it and she said she didn’t recommend it to me. She hasn’t even read it! So then I thought maybe someone on the group recommended it to me but I did a quick search and it hasn’t even been mentioned on the group before now.

So the question is: who recommended this to me? I distinctly remember someone did because I don’t usually go out of my way to read fantasy books even if they are mg and I remember this person reassuring me that it was worth the time and it was good. I can’t for the life of me remember who recommended it and every time I come across this book I think of that. It makes me feel strange to have forgotten it and even stranger to think maybe I’m remembering it wrong...

All of these sound great! I’m not sure which one to pick to be honest because I usually pick the ones I already own or priority list. But I’m going to see which one is readily available!

Yay! I hope you guys find a new favorite if you pick any of these up.
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane was a lot of fun, but I think out of all the MG, A Pinch of magic is the easiest to love; it's just so cute and whimsical and the family bond is great too

♡ Sandra wrote: "Yay! I hope you guys find a new favorite if you pick any of these up.
The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane was a lot of fun, but I think out of all the MG, A Pinch of magic is the easiest to love; it's..."

I've heard a lot of middle grade readers talk about A Pinch of Magic - all positive, so I think I will give it a try.

I'm more of a mystery fan than a fairy tale fan so I'm going to be reading The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane instead. Apparently it's already on my TBR, I had no idea!

I’m either going for The Mystery of the Black Hollow Lane or Strange Grace because those are readily available at my library

Just got myself an ebook copy of The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane and I can't wait to start it on May 1st!!

Kadi wrote: "Just got myself an ebook copy of The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane and I can't wait to start it on May 1st!!"

Hope you love it!

Deaflower (Dee's New Name) wrote: "I have decided that I would like to read 'Almond'. I enjoy reading books of the struggle of people with a disability, and their inspiring way of getting through it with determination, and wanting t..."

I read it this year for the first time and now it's one of my favorite books ever. Based on what you said, I think you're going to love it too :)

The False Prince is one of my favorite books too.

I loved The False Prince so much! I still need to get round to reading the second book but I'm worried it won't be as good as the first😩

I've heard good things about The False Prince, had it in my classroom, but never read it.

@Lynn you should read it! If you're free this month, it's got a great plot👏🏻

I currently have 12 books out from the library, so The False Prince will have to wait, but I think I will put it on my Goodreads TBR and maybe the library too so I don't forget about it.

I loved both the plot and the characters. The first book is the most surprinsing in terms of plot, but I really enjoyed the series as a whole, I think it's worth it :)

Kadi wrote: "I loved The False Prince so much! I still need to get round to reading the second book but I'm worried it won't be as good as the first😩"

It isn't as good but I still liked the sequel(s). You just can't beat perfection.

@Audrey that's always the thing like the first book had that (view spoiler)[ unreliable narrator (hide spoiler)] and a lot of mystery but the sequels can't have that now that the secrets have been revealed. Kind of reminds me of the book Found and how I absolutely loved it but I know the rest of the series won't be the same because the main mystery has been solved and the mystery was what made it so great and so I've been avoiding reading the rest of the series. Maybe I'll get around to it sometime later this year. There's always another book to read, another series to finish!

Deaflower (Dee's New Name) wrote: "I am still reading Almond, and it is lovely, as Sandra said. I am taking my time, but it is so worth it."

Ohh let me know your thoughts when you're finished! Like I said, it is one of my favorite books, but I feel like not a lot of people have read it.

Almond seems like a very strange novel. I'd be curious to see how the author managed to create a character who can't show certain emotions. I've added it to my TBR and I'm hoping to get round to reading it in June if I can!

Kadi wrote: "Almond seems like a very strange novel. I'd be curious to see how the author managed to create a character who can't show certain emotions. I've added it to my TBR and I'm hoping to get round to re..."

Yeah, I thought it was a very complicated topic to tackle when I first read the synopsis, but I think the author did a great job at discussing complex feelings with quite a simple style. It is a heavy read at some points, but it's also hopeful and very beautiful. Hope you love it if you pick it up :)

Kadi wrote: "@Audrey that's always the thing like the first book had that [spoilers removed] and a lot of mystery but the sequels can't have that now that the secrets have been revealed. Kind of reminds me of t..."

The other books have that type of mystery going on, but it's not quite the same.

The Thief pulls it off quite well in each book -- what looks like is going on is not actually what's going on.