Lava Red Feather Blue is a curious tale following the intrepid witch Merrick and the stalwart Prince Larkin. On the magical island that they live on, humans and faeries coexist, though not always peacefully. When Merrick accidentally awakens Prince Larkin from an enchanted sleep, he also unleashes a fearsome faerie known as Ula Kana. As Ula Kana attempts to eradicate all the humans from the island, Merrick and Prince Larkin must work together to save the world as they know it.

Lava Red Feather Blue focuses intently on world-building in a way that I found very creative, but which faltered in the execution of merging modern-day technology with faerie magic. The island world gives the sense of being a magical Neverland, where anything can happen. However, the pace of the plot felt meandering and struggled to maintain momentum. Lava Red Feather Blue was very inclusive and featured several LGBTQ characters. This was done very well and I loved being in a fantasy world where being LGBTQ is simply accepted. I found it difficult to get attached to the two main characters, though they did grow on me.

I think if you are looking for an imaginative and inclusive fantasy, Lava Red Feather Blue could be the story for you! Lava Red Feather Blue releases on January 5, 2021. Thank you to Molly Ringle, Central Avenue Publishing, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wayward Children series is one of my favorites, so I was incredibly excited to receive this ARC! Across the Green Grass Fields introduces us to Regan and the Hooflands, a world where centaurs and magical creatures roam. After a classmate betrays a secret, Regan travels home through the woods and finds a doorway. Feeling sure, she steps through and arrives in the Hooflands. The arrival of a human in the Hooflands means that they are a hero and will save the world from a terrible evil. But Regan is only a child, so she is adopted into a centaur herd until she is older. When Regan at last faces the danger threatening the Hooflands, nothing is as she expected.

This is one of my favorite doorways thus far, I felt really connected with Regan and the centaur herd. The memorable characters, vivid imagery of the Hooflands, and magical creatures create a sense of wonder. Seanan McGuire always writes excellent representation and Across the Green Grass Fields is no exception, incorporating gender identity and the cruelty of young children. I was so relieved and happy when Regan found her doorway.

Each Wayward Children book is a brilliant adventure that ends all too soon. I love how Seanan McGuire expertly twists expectations about what it means to be a hero and I hope that we see the continuation of Regan’s story. Regan is one of my favorite characters yet, from her personality to how she views the world. I particularly enjoyed seeing the magical creatures Regan interacted with along the way, especially the kelpies, unicorns, and centaurs. The ending is bittersweet, as they all are, but it left me very eager for the next book! Across the Green Grass Fields releases on January 12, 2021. Thank you to Seanan McGuire, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.