Juniper and her little sister Elodie live in the city of Arkspire with their Papa. There once was a time their mama was with them too, but that was many years ago. It was a time when Elodie looked up to Juniper and her skills at jumping across the rooftops and fearlessly going wherever she needed to go.

But now Elodie sees her big sister as an irresponsible thief, putting all in Arkspire in danger. Elodie is training to better herself at an academy to become an Arcanist.

An Arcanist is an all powerful leader of Arkspire. There are always five, but they don’t last forever, training future Arcanists to take their places. Juniper doesn’t believe Elodie will ever be chosen. After all, they are from the Dregs, which is the worst part of town. Still, Elodie wants to help her family out of their abject poverty.

Juniper is too practical to wait for someone else to help them. She is an established thief and pickpocket and is always looking for a deal to make some money. The best things to steal or source are items from a long ago war between the Arcanists and people called the Betrayers. Finding any of these items brings top dollar, and a much quicker way to put food on the table in Juniper’s eyes.

But Juniper finds something she shouldn’t. It only looks like a sliver of mirror, but she is sure she can see something happening in it, that isn’t happening in real life. Before she knows it, she has released something wild and vicious into their world – the very thing they are warned not to do since birth.

The Arcanists aren’t happy, and Juniper knows they mean business. It’s not in her nature to admit wrong or accept defeat. Suddenly she is on the con of her life. With the help of an apothecary, a loyal friend and the strange creature she released, she not only holds the Arcanists threats off, she takes on their challenges.

As she tries to help the creature, save herself and the people of the Dregs, she learns the truth behind the beings leading their whole city. Is her entire past a lie?

The world building of Arkspire is so rich and real, and the characters so vibrant and alive, this is a gripping read. The back story of the city of Arkspire is also rich, but more and more riveting as its true history is revealed.

Arkspire is a city of back alleys, cobbled streets, towers and terrible things, along with the grandeur of the leaders who are called Arcanists. Their power and magic is revered throughout the city, but at what cost? Main character Juniper is a feisty, brave, scrappy 13 year old, and practically fearless. She holds her family dear, even if she is estranged from her do-good sister. The more Juniper learns about the city and its leaders, the more tension builds as she worries for her sister’s future.

Skeletons, shadows, secrets and a sister’s love. Creepy crypts and completing a challenge. Lies, possession, magical mirrors and misuse of power.

Looking forward to the next book in this series.

Author – Jamie Littler

Age – 10+

(2023, Penguin Group, Magical Land, Fantasy, Action, Betrayal, Courage, Friendship, Magic, Family, Secret, Series, Poverty, Horror, Skeletons, Tower, Shadowy Creature, Loyalty, Rich vs Poor, Lies, Sisters, Sibling Rivalry, Apothecary)