by Chris Colfer
First published 2019
Brystal Evergreen finds a hidden book in her library that changes everything. The book reveals a magical world she never knew existed and shows her the truth about herself: she possesses fairy magic. This discovery puts her in grave danger. The Southern Kingdom forbids women from reading and outlaws all magic. Authorities arrest Brystal and sentence her to Bootstrap Correctional Facility for her crimes. Her fate seems sealed until the enigmatic Madame Weatherberry rescues her and brings her to a secret academy where young people learn to harness their magical abilities. Brystal throws herself into her studies alongside other gifted students. But when Madame Weatherberry disappears while handling a mysterious crisis, the students face their greatest test. A dark conspiracy threatens to destroy magic itself and plunge the world into chaos. Brystal and her classmates must discover whether they have the courage and skill to confront this evil alone.
Genres: adventure, coming-of-age, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: chosen-one, found-family
Setting: Southern Kingdom, Bootstrap Correctional Facility, Secret Academy
Period: 19th-century, 20th-century
Audio CD · Little, Brown Young Readers
Content warnings: abuse