Grim Lovelies

Gr 8 Up—This series starter by the author of "The Madman's Daughter" and "Cage" trilogies presents a magical world that is layered beneath our own. For centuries, the realm of magic—which follows an intense and elaborate hierarchy—has been quietly running the planet by strategically enchanting objects that influence political decisions and drive the economy. All of this maneuvering is invisible to Pretties, the regular old humans that are being influenced. The story centers around Anouk, servant girl to a powerful and cruel witch. Anouk and her friends are Beasties, or animals that have been enchanted to human form to serve the magical elite. When Anouk's witch is murdered, she and her fellow Beasties race the clock in a dangerous heist in order to stop the reversal of their enchantments before they go back to animal form forever. The Beasties' wild chase through the streets of Paris and rooms of enchanted estates is heavy on magical rules and new information, which bogs down the suspense and relationship building. The ending is left wide open for a sequel; hopefully future volumes will move along at a faster clip. An unexplored thread featuring a Beastie in love with the witch's son he was created to protect shines through and begs for more exploration.