City of Islands

Format:

Book

Title:

City of Islands

Author:

Wallace, Kali author

ISBN:

9780062499813

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

New York, NY : Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2018]

Physical Description:

325 pages : maps ; 22 cm

Summary:

"In a foggy archipelago called the City of Islands, twelve-year-old Mara has always been fascinated by the magic that drifts on the air as songs. But as a servant for the powerful Lady of the Tides, Mara must earn her keep by searching for magical treasures deep in the murky ocean. Then Mara finds the skeletons of strange hybrid creatures that haven't existed in the city for centuries--all humming with a powerful spell-song. Convinced her discovery will earn her the opportunity to study magic, Mara shares them with the Lady. But instead of a reward, the Lady gives Mara a new challenge: to sneak into the island fortress, the Winter Blade. Now Mara must dive deeper than ever before to survive her mission. The chilling truths that Mara uncovers along the way, about her past as well as about the secrets of her beloved city, are more dangerous--and magical--than she ever imagined."-- Provided by publisher.

Reading Level:

Ages 8-12.

Subject(s):

Sea stories.

Magic -- Juvenile fiction.

Orphans -- Juvenile fiction.

Secrecy -- Juvenile fiction.

Charms -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Juvenile fiction.

Friendship -- Fiction.

Genre:

Children's stories.

Action and adventure fiction

Action and adventure fiction.

Fantasy fiction.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	J Wallace, K.	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A dark and riveting middle grade fantasy from the critically acclaimed Kali Wallace about an archipelago of magical islands and one girl's dangerous discovery on the ocean floor. Perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kate Milford.

In a foggy archipelago called the City of Islands, twelve-year-old Mara has always been fascinated by the magic that drifts on the air as songs. But as a servant for the powerful Lady of the Tides, Mara must earn her keep by searching for magical treasures deep in the murky ocean.

Then Mara finds the skeletons of strange hybrid creatures that haven't existed in the city for centuries--all humming with a powerful spell-song. Convinced her discovery will earn her the opportunity to study magic, Mara shares them with the Lady. But instead of a reward, the Lady gives Mara a new challenge: to sneak into the island fortress, the Winter Blade.

Now Mara must dive deeper than ever before to survive her mission. The chilling truths that Mara uncovers along the way, about her past as well as about the secrets of her beloved city, are more dangerous--and magical--than she ever imagined.

Reviews (5)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-An orphaned girl discovers her talent for magic and awakens a sleeping enchantment. Ever since she can remember, 12-year-old Mara has wanted to learn the singing powers wielded by the mages of her home, the City of Islands. But after the loss of the bone-mage who had raised her, she must put away her dreams and support herself by diving in search of antiquities for a wealthy patroness. One of her finds starts a chain of events that endangers her and her friends. She soon realizes that the simple songs she learned from her mother may have the strength to save them all. Wallace creates an intriguing world. Mara's skills as a swimmer and diver as well as a magic user make her an unusual, appealing protagonist. The racial and ethnic diversity within this seagoing nation, as well as its powerful female leaders and acceptance of same-gender marriages, make for a welcome reboot of the standard sword-and-sorcery setting. VERDICT An adventurous story that will appeal to middle school fantasy readers.-Beth Wright Redford, Richmond Elementary School Library, VT © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

In the newest fantasy realm from Wallace (The Memory of Trees), female empowerment and inclusion are a natural part of life. Twelve-year-old orphan Mara has longed to become a mage. After a string of tragedies, she is forced to dive for the Lady of Tides, an influential mage, looking for magical treasures belonging to the founders, long-vanished, underwater-dwelling creatures who were responsible for the creation of the City of Islands. Mara's luck takes a turn for the better after she discovers the bones of hybrid creatures, which the Founders were known to have created. But what she had hoped would be her ticket to becoming a mage actually sends her on a treacherous journey in which she tries to break into a nigh-impenetrable fortress and discovers a plot that could threaten the city's continued existence. Mara's emotional reactions are at times curiously underwhelming, particularly her discoveries of a profound betrayal and her own magical abilities. However, Wallace's world offers dreamlike imagery, a fresh concept, and a haunting atmosphere. Ages 8-up. Agent: Adriann Ranta Zurhellen, Foundry Literary + Media. (July) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Horn Book Review

Mara finds an undersea trove full of bones that together look like the remains of a lizard with wings and other strange amalgamations. Mara secretly hopes that the Lady of the Tides will reward her by helping her become a mage, but Mara surprises herself with untapped magic of her own. Wallace uses sonorous language to build a convincing world of spell-songs among seafolk. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

Life is not easy for 12-year-old Mara in the magical archipelago City of Islands. Her parents died when she was 5. After begging on the streets of Quarantine Island, she was taken in by a quirky bonemage, Bindybut one night over a year ago, Bindy went out and never returned. Now working as a diver for the Lady of the Tides, Mara has a chance to prove herself and secure her future. The Lady is obsessed with finding magical remains left by the founders, a race of sea people who built the city centuries ago. After overhearing a tip from a strange, pale-skinned boy, Mara decides to dive in a new spot for ancient magical artifacts, along with her friend and fellow diver Izzy and the boatman Driftwood. What they find shatters Mara's innocence, alters the course of their lives, and reveals secrets that will change the City of Islands forever. Wallace builds intrigue, layer by layer, page by page, until readers are glued to each word right up to the magnificent end. The captivating worldbuilding is supported by a sturdy third-person narrative that's filled with people of various skin tones, personalities, and abilities who find a way to work together to right the wrongs of corruption. Mara and most other denizens of the City of Islands have "brown skin, brown eyes, and curly black hair."Inspiration and excitement from beginning to end. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

From the author of YA novels The Memory Trees (2017) and Shallow Graves (2016) comes the adventures of Mara in an archipelago called the City of Islands. Mara works for the Lady of the Tides as a diver, but she dreams of one day becoming a mage's apprentice. The bizarre skeletons she finds at the bottom of the ocean spark a chain of events that has her sneaking into the fortress of the Winter Blade, but the truths she finds unleash secrets long buried. Magic in this gritty world is fueled by music, and Wallace brings it all to life with a sense of wonder. As Mara discovers the magic in herself, she faces betrayal, truths, and a journey that necessitates bravery. Wallace mixes fairy-tale elements with a haunted fortress ruled by a mad scientist and his creations that's reminiscent of Frankenstein. This is an exciting adventure with dazzling characters, magic, mystery, and self-discovery.--Konkel, Elizabeth Copyright 2010 Booklist