The Door to the Lost

Gr 4–7—Rook has no memories of her homeworld, but she desperately wants to get back to it. Two years ago, an explosion destroyed the portal to the realm of Vora, leaving the world of Talhaven with decaying, dangerous magic and a skyship full of magically gifted Voran children with no memories. Now Rook, who has the ability to create doors to anywhere, and Drift, another exiled child, are on the run. When a magical job attracts the attention of Talhaven's authorities and a Voran wizard named Dozana, the two are forced on an adventure to save their new world and discover the true meaning of home. While the book begins slowly with some repetitive world-building, once the action starts, it doesn't stop. The narrative takes time to balance copious action scenes with heartfelt explorations of the meanings of friendship and family. Rook is a strong character, going through a clear arc—initially scared of her powers and then confident in her own ability—who learns that she had already found what she was searching for years ago. The adult characters, while often sliding into caricature, do provide enlightening foils and, ultimately, give Rook and Drift a positive model for how to use their burgeoning abilities.