Review: Nightingale

Nightingale by Deva Fagan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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Publication Date: 20 April 2021

Publisher's Description

A plucky orphan girl stumbles into a conflict centuries in the making in this thrilling middle grade fantasy about unexpected heroes, the power of friendship, and one boisterous enchanted sword.

Twelve-year-old Lark is determined to escape her squalid life at Miss Starvenger’s boarding house, but she needs to find the coin to do it. Her grand scheme? To steal her fortune from the Royal Museum.

Unfortunately, her heist goes off the rails, and Lark ends up stealing a magical sword right out from under the nose of Prince Jasper, who’s none too happy to have his plans thwarted. Lark soon discovers that the Sword has a mind of its own, and has chosen her to be the next Nightingale, a fabled hero who must vanquish an ancient evil that is waking after centuries of sleep.

Working alone has its limitations, but relying on others after a lifetime of disappointments feels impossible. Still, Lark will need the help of her boarding house roommates if she wants to defeat the villainous forces that threaten to dismantle everything she holds dear.

 

My Thoughts

I received an eARC courtesy of Atheneum Books for Young Readers via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

All-in-all this was a nice addition to children's fantasy. I think kids are going to respond Lark and Jasper's adventure saving their city. Plus it's got a pretty sassy enchanted sword. Overall, I found this book quite charming. While I wouldn't necessarily say this book wowed me, there is definitely something entertaining about it. Kids will really love the pacing which is quite perfect.

For Libraries: If you've got kids searching for more fantasy, adventure, superheroes (girls nonetheless), or friendship stories, this book might be quite happy on your shelves.