The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights

January 31, 2022
Camelot has fallen and the world is divided into the Twenty-Five and a Half Realms, magical and nonmagical, in Rogers’s quirky fantasy debut. In one realm, olive-skinned Ellie Bettlebump, 12, who maintains an extensive toad collection, yearns to be accepted into the Fairy Godmother Academy and attend society events such as her stepsister’s wedding —both unlikely given that she has witch’s “contaminated, malevolent magic” in addition to fairy magic. In another realm—Boulder Falls, Wis.—pale-skinned Caedmon Tuggle grieves over the inexplicable death of his best friend, Jimmy. Everything changes for the two youths, and the book gains considerable narrative steam, when they’re each drafted as Knights of the Round Table, leaving home far behind. In third-person chapters that alternate between the protagonists’ perspectives, it’s revealed that a curse is draining the Knights of their power—and will continue if Ellie and Caedmon can’t solve the mystery of its origins. The two leads aren’t consistently engaging (Caedmon sometimes comes off as maudlin, while Ellie’s emotional age ranges from child to adult), but they’re surrounded with a solid core of supporting characters: a close-knit friend group (characters read as white), a kindly mentor, and a Maleficent-worthy antagonist. Rogers deftly weaves Arthurian legend around universal concerns of the target audience, and the ending is both satisfying and sequel-ready. Ages 8–12. Agent: Katelyn Uplinger, D4EO Literary.

Starred review from April 1, 2022

Gr 4-8-Ellie and Caedmon do not expect to be Knights of the Round Table, let alone friends who are destined to save their separate worlds. Ellie, from the Tragevelia Realm, wants nothing more than to get accepted into the Fairy Godmother Academy; however, she harbors a secret that could cause the end of all her hopes and dreams. Caedmon, living in Wisconsin, cannot come to grips with the death of his best friend. The two have nothing in common, except that they both receive an invitation to be a Knight of the Round Table. Their ensuing adventure proves that they need each other in order to survive the formidable tests they encounter. Meeting new friends from across the realms, they push themselves to their limits as they struggle to free their worlds of a witches' curse meant to doom all of humanity. Told by Madame Myst�rieuse using the alternate perspectives of Ellie and Caedmon, along with humorous and often sarcastic comments in footnotes, this title is sure to engage readers with its heterogeneous cast of characters and humor. Rogers's creativity in constructing the multiple-realm setting is outstanding, including minute details that keep its audience riveted. Readers will sympathize with Ellie in her futile attempts to please her mother, and Caedmon's heartache in losing a loved one. Information at the beginning of the title will help readers define each realm of the world. Fans of Harry Potter's magical world and its characters will enjoy this fantasy title. VERDICT A kinetic and novel fairy tale with themes of friendship and perseverance that will engage fans of Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon.-Elena Schuck

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 1, 2022
In this fantasy novel set "years after the regretful demise of Camelot," twelve-year-old Ellie is a witch but dreams of becoming a fairy godmother. All her plans go out the window, however, when she is enlisted to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. At the Montagne des Chevaliers she undergoes a series of dangerous tests that will, perhaps, lead her to a noble destiny protecting the Twenty-Five and a Half Realms. Caedmon has also been drafted, though he is far more surprised than Ellie because, until recently, he had no idea magic even existed. Caedmon is from the only nonmagical realm (from Wisconsin, to be exact). Depressed and reeling from his best friend's death, Caedmon learns that unless he becomes a knight and re-forges the broken pieces of Excalibur, his family will be in grave peril. Ellie, Caedmon, and their friends must overcome their fears and doubts as they proceed through knighthood trials and battle unforetold dangers, learning to trust one another along the way. Debut author Rogers combines elements from beloved fairy tales and legends, blending recognizable patterns with humor and excitement to produce something charming and new. Ellie's burgeoning witchcraft, which weighs heavily on her mind, lends the story some philosophical depth, and Caedmon's depression is portrayed with skill and sympathy. Readers will hope for a sequel, and there seem to be plenty more adventures awaiting our intrepid protagonists. Sarah Berman

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from March 1, 2022
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* In the year 715 YATRDOC (Years After the Regretful Demise of Camelot), aka AD 2019, two children are conscripted by the Knights of the Round Table, fabled guardians of the Twenty-Five-and-a-Half Realms. Twelve-year-old Ellie would rather attend the Fairy Godmother Academy, despite secretly being a witch. Caedmon, however, finds it easy to follow the summons--and the call to destiny by Merlin--from his Wisconsin hometown, where his best friend has just been murdered by a dark power. Ellie and Caedmon meet as fellow outsiders at the knights' castle, where they compete in dangerous trials to become anointed Knights. But a strange curse plagues the order, and if the two budding heroes can't unravel the mystery, reforge Excalibur, and thwart a nefarious witch, all that's left will fall. From page one, Rogers' debut delivers. Anchored--and elevated--by the sassy voice of narrator Madame Myst�rieuse, always ready with a cheeky footnote, it alternates between the perspectives of Ellie and Caedmon, leading readers through an intricately spun adventure of magic, mystery, and friendship. Drawing on Arthurian legend, the quirky world building comfortably unites various classic fantasy elements, including fairies, witches, pirates, dragons, knights, and original additions, but it's the vibrant bond between the two leads that gives the story its abounding heart. Middle-grade fantasy at its most epic.

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Starred review from December 1, 2021
A fantasy in the highest tradition. Ellie Beetlebump, 12, is enrolled in Roses and Needles Finishing School for purposes of socialization. Her sharp-tongued, highborn mother wants her to become a fairy godmother--and Ellie does too, except that she has witch blood as well as fairy blood, and witches are outcasts in Aurelia Realm. Caedmon Tuggle, also 12, lives in Wisconsin and is depressed and withdrawn over the recent inexplicable death of his best friend, Jimmy. Unable to process his grief, he speaks cruel words to his parents and little sister--words he regrets. When Ellie and Caedmon receive mysterious letters informing them they are recruits for the Knights of the Round Table and must report to Ch�teau des Chevaliers, they are puzzled. Ellie expects to attend Fairy Godmother Academy instead, and Caedmon, unaware of the existence of magical realms, thinks it's a prank. But soon, the two find themselves with 48 other recruits at the Ch�teau, where they become friends. Knight training begins, but it's clear there's a grave evil threatening all the realms, magical and nonmagical. The intricate plot incorporates references to Arthurian legend as it ultimately builds its own original story. Ellie and Caedmon are perfectly drawn as insecure but determined protagonists, and the story's themes of courage, friendship, hope, and self-acceptance freshly resonate. Main characters read as White. An engaging and intelligent fantasy: up there with the best of them. (list of realms) (Fantasy. 9-13)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2022
In this fantasy novel set "years after the regretful demise of Camelot," twelve-year-old Ellie is a witch but dreams of becoming a fairy godmother. All her plans go out the window, however, when she is enlisted to become one of the Knights of the Round Table. At the Montagne des Chevaliers she undergoes a series of dangerous tests that will, perhaps, lead her to a noble destiny protecting the Twenty-Five and a Half Realms. Caedmon has also been drafted, though he is far more surprised than Ellie because, until recently, he had no idea magic even existed. Caedmon is from the only nonmagical realm (from Wisconsin, to be exact). Depressed and reeling from his best friend's death, Caedmon learns that unless he becomes a knight and re-forges the broken pieces of Excalibur, his family will be in grave peril. Ellie, Caedmon, and their friends must overcome their fears and doubts as they proceed through knighthood trials and battle unforetold dangers, learning to trust one another along the way. Debut author Rogers combines elements from beloved fairy tales and legends, blending recognizable patterns with humor and excitement to produce something charming and new. Ellie's burgeoning witchcraft, which weighs heavily on her mind, lends the story some philosophical depth, and Caedmon's depression is portrayed with skill and sympathy. Readers will hope for a sequel, and there seem to be plenty more adventures awaiting our intrepid protagonists.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)