This is an engaging and well written crossworlds coming of age fantasy which will have the Pottermore fanbase cheering.The protagonist is a 14 year old girl, Z, with trust issues, a smart mouth, and magical talent who crosses paths with an unconventional wizard who takes her under his wing. The usual magic-lives-among-us tropes are in evidence, but the whole is delightfully readable. Muggles are "sleepers", there's a simpatico female non-magical police detective who also develops a healthy older-sister relationship with Z and adds some stability to her previously unstable upbringing. There's an academy for magic students (because of course there is), antagonistic establishment wizards ranked against the firebrand wizard (Barnabus, call him Barney), and a chase for the ultimate big bad nasty who's bent on interdimensional domination.
The story is told in alternating first person point of view between Z and Barnabus. The authors have made the character voices distinct enough that it's never a problem to keep them straight, but for clarity's sake, each of the subchapters are labeled anyhow.
That being said, it's great fun and will appeal to lovers of the YA crossworlds fantasy genre. It's a known quantity, with a good plot arc and denouement, and the dialogue isn't cringe-worthy. I will add that there's a one-paragraph nod to healthy LGBTQIA+ role models which isn't dwelt upon - or otherwise "promoted". There's no sexual content and the book is PG rated (mostly for descriptions of violence).
Four stars. I'm looking forward to more from this father/daughter duo.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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