Vanya doesn’t like being different, so she doesn’t tell anyone that the books in the back room of her parents’ shop whisper to her. And she’s not the only family member keeping secrets, as she discovers when a mythical monster attacks and she’s whisked away to the relative safety of Auramere, the school for archwitches and archivists that her parents once attended. As Vanya finally finds somewhere she might belong, dangerous Old Ones attack and she must find which of Auramere’s allies has betrayed them all to take control of the legendary Wild Hunt. 

This is a gorgeous, rich and exciting magical world, with animal familiars, wild mythical creatures, portable portals and a diverse cast of characters who are great fun to spend time with. Kids will absolutely fall in love with the magic lessons and the lush fantastical settings. If the sequel were out, I’d have dived straight in – Auramere is somewhere I’d love to spend more time, and the cliffhanger at the end of this book has left me desperate for more. It’s a must-read.