Juniper has survived the tower challenge the vengeful Arcanists threw at her. People of the Dregs are cheering her name, amazed that one of their own has her own magic without being one of the chosen to inherit Arcanist power.

But the Arcanists themselves are still suspicious and are preparing more challenges for Juniper to prove herself. Juniper’s bond with Cinder is growing more and more as she harnesses his powers for her new goal. Now they know the terrible secret behind the Arcanists, she is keen to not only rid her city of Arkspire of them, but save her twin sister Elodie from them as well.

She has seen what has happened to a friend named Nix after she connected with the Arcanists, and can’t imagine the same happening to Elodie too.

Juni’s best friend Thea doesn’t share Juniper’s endless optimism however, and neither does Everard – a boy from the Arcanist Academy itself who has also seen undeniable proof of Arcanist treachery. They believe Juni is unprepared and too cocky for her own good. There are more trials to overcome and Juni is letting Cinder’s powers go to her head.

When they are proved right, and a trial goes terribly wrong, Juni begins to doubt Cinder’s motives. She can feel what he feels and it is increasingly violent and angry. His memories are returning and Juni can see snapshots of them in her own head through their bond.

They begin to clash themselves and Juniper swings from trusting him, to trusting her friends and Elodie and back again. Is what they are saying about Cinder really true?

Wow! There are so many tween novels with magical settings, but the world of Arkspire still remains one of my very favourite series. Not only did Jamie Littler build and share this world, he illustrated it as well! The illustrations add even more to this terrific tale, providing not only eye catching covers but also engaging pictures throughout.

The first novel introduced the richly portrayed world of Arkspire, and this second novel has delved further into Cinder’s past and Juniper’s too. Memories of Juni and Elodie’s Mama drop into Juni’s story to fight the rulers of Arkspire, revealing guilt buried deep within her.

She remembers her close relationship with her twin and despite acting and saying otherwise, will do anything to have that back. Juni’s confidence takes a big hit in The Order of the Misfits as she realises she may have made the biggest mistake of her life.

Delving further into her psyche and past builds an even deeper understanding of this feisty, brave, and flawed character – making me love her even more.

The ending left me wanting the next book immediately – what will happen next? To Cinder, to Elodie, to Juni and Arkspire itself!

Absolutely loved it!

Author / Illustrator  – Jamie Littler

Age – 8+

Read a review of the first book in the series – Arkspire – here

Read an excerpt of Arkspire – The Order of the Misfits here

(2024, Penguin Books,  Magical Land, Fantasy, Action, Betrayal, Courage, Friendship, Magic, Family, Secret, Series, Poverty, Horror, Shadowy Creature, Loyalty, Rich vs Poor, Lies, Sisters, Twins, Sibling Rivalry, Apothecary, True History of Arkspire, Power, Truth, Deals)