July 12, 2021
Twelve-year-old triplets Cordelia, Giles, and Rosalind have spent their lives in a castle hidden deep in an enchanted forest, with only their sorceress mother, older half brother, and a family friend for company. Shapeshifter Cordelia yearns to roam the woods freely, while Rosalind trains as a warrior and Giles embraces his love of music. When armored troops break through the castle’s magical defenses, claiming that one of the triplets is rightful heir to the Raven Throne of Corvenne, the triad—unaware of who was born first—are forced to flee rather than become pawns in a brutal struggle for succession, while the remaining family is taken prisoner. As the three potential royals cross a war-torn land to uncover long-held secrets and save their loved ones, Cordelia is guided by mysterious voices and impulses that may help her heal the broken kingdom. This simultaneously brief and leisurely paced duology opener may leave readers hoping for more out of the next volume, but Burgis’s (the Tales from the Chocolate Heart series) focus on how the land influences the closely knit family of cued-white characters—each bearing complementary and unique gifts—results in a vividly described setting and a strong, shifting sibling dynamic. Ages 8–11. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, the Bent Agency.
August 1, 2021
Isn't it supposed to be a good thing to learn you're the lost heir? Cordelia adores her family--her fellow triplets, Giles and Rosalind; their older half brother, Connall; her mother; and her mother's friend who looks after the goats--but their secret castle in the woods is claustrophobic. She longs to turn into an animal and explore, but she's promised her overprotective mother that she won't wander off without supervision. Rosalind has her mock sword fighting, and Giles has his music, but Cordelia has only the desperate urge to fly free with her animal shape-shifting powers. Her dream of freedom twists into a nightmare when angry people bearing arms arrive at the castle demanding the war-torn kingdom's heir. The triplets escape into the woods when the others are taken captive, shocked by uncovered family secrets. Cordelia, learning more of her past, now has her own secrets. It's one thing to squabble with Giles and Rosalind, but will they forgive her for being as parsimonious with the truth as their mother has been? Ultimately, saving the world requires an unbearable sacrifice and reveals that even loving family members make dreadful mistakes. Though Cordelia and her siblings are primarily sketched in lightly around their traits and hobbies, their emotional journeys are rich, believable, and fulfilling. The triplets are light-skinned, Connall is brown, and the world is racially diverse and has a mixed-gender military. Chaotic, heartwarming, and emotionally satisfying with high stakes that keep readers invested. (Fantasy. 9-12)
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August 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 Cordelia knows the story well: twelve years ago, her mother (a sorceress) fled to the forest castle where she gave birth to triplets. Ever since, she has kept them safely hidden away. While their older stepbrother, Conall, is diligently learning magic to help protect his siblings, Giles sings ballads, Rosalind practices knightly combat, and Cordelia uses her shapeshifting abilities for pleasure and for eavesdropping. Their mother has renounced her children's claim to the Raven Throne, yet soon after the king's death, warring factions, intent on using the heir in their game of power, track the triplets through the forest and into the mountains. Mysteriously compelled to mend the Raven crown, Cordelia leads her siblings on a perilous quest. In this, the first volume of the Raven Heir series, Burgis introduces the characters and their foibles, identifies the power struggle motivating the triplets' adversaries, and entertains readers with scenes featuring magical powers, adventures, and conflicts. But at the heart of this eventful, enjoyable adventure story, Cordelia is exploring her personal identity and her place in the family.
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December 3, 2021
Gr 3-5-Burgis's latest middle grade combines magic, family, and heart in a quest to heal the magical land of Corvenne. Cordelia, with a gift for shifting into different animals, is the sibling always called to the forest. Giles composes songs with an obsessive fervor, while Rosalind wants to be a great warrior. One day, the people of the kingdom surround their mother's castle in the enchanted forest, demanding the heir to the throne and thrusting the triplets into the unknown. Similar to other coming-of-age adventures, each sibling learns to harness their talents throughout their journey to increase the success of their magical quest. The bonds of family are tested by secrets and intensified through defining moments of spirit, heart, and protectiveness. Although some of the backstory and characterization of the antagonists falls flat, the good-versus-evil dynamic is necessary for younger readers and has great potential as the series continues. Burgis weaves a tale that inspires readers to harness the magic within themselves, even during challenging times. This title would appeal to fans of Chris Colfer's "Land of Stories" series and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon. VERDICT A fantastical journey for elementary and middle school readers who love magic and adventure.-Hilary Tufo
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