Accidental Demons
by Clare Edge
Source: Hardcover/library
Published: Sept 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins
Length: 384 pages
Series: Accidental Demons #1

Genre: Supernatural
Target Age: Middle grade
Representation: Protagonist has diabetes, supporting characters incl lesbian and

• Accidental Demons has a creative premise. Ber, a young witch in magical family, struggles to manage her abilities. She’s been recently diagnosed with diabetes and has to frequently draw blood to check her blood sugar. Why is this problematic for her magic? Because Ber’s family uses their blood to summon inconsequential demons to do their bidding (ex. cleaning up, delivering a messsage). The story breaks fresh ground in contemporary fantasy with Ber’s experience with diabetes being inextricably tied to the fantasy elements of the story.
• However, I found the last third or so of the story lagged. Somewhat paradoxically, I found that the action picking up (with when Ber and co realizing they need to head out to try to save Ber’s family), hampered the flow of the story that I was enjoying. I attribute this partly to the relatively sudden appearance of characters like Tempest, Phoebe, and Komorebi. I enjoyed the world building and character development that happened before the action started. So, I found the basic descriptions of “character goes here, does this, character goes there, does that” less engaging.
• Hints throughout the story suggest that Ber’s family of blood witches isn’t as inclusive as Ber would expect, but the story barely explores that notion. Something else that wasn’t elaborated on at all is the backstory of Fin and OG Bernadette and Orla. I suppose those themes will be explored in a sequel, but one or two ‘answers’ given in this volume would have been more satisfying.
• 💭 The Bottom Line: A refreshing contemporary fantasy, Accidental Demons is worth a look for its representation of a magic-user whose disability is front and center, even if the pacing falters in the later half.
• Blogger reviews: Katy @ A Library Mama, Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction, Mark @ Mark My Words

Splinter & Ash
by Marieke Nijkamp
Source: Hardcover/library
Published: Sept 2024
Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)
Length: 368 pages
Series: Splinter & Ash #1

Genre: Fantasy
Target Age: Middle grade
Representation: One protagonist is AFAB non-binary, one protagonist has an unidentified disability and uses a mobility aid

• Splinter & Ash is one of those adequate three star reads. Nothing spectacular, nothing egrevious. It’s a solid medieval fantasy. I would flag this one as a good fantasy for younger readers, or those new to the genre.
• Of all the Cybils 2024 speculative fiction finalists, Splinter & Ash felt the most character-focused with a lot of introspection. The story’s light on plot and worldbuilding. I would have liked a bit more intrigue and action to spice up the plain and simple plot. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes. It would have been exciting to involve the titular protagonists in that a bit more. But overall, the story’s strength lies in the characterization of the protagonists.
• Overall, I enjoyed the fresh spin on the medieval-inspired castle-centric fantasy that Splinter and Ash offer. Both their perspectives breath some new life into this genre. The story’s strength is their grappling with finding their place in a prejudiced society. However, the story as a whole is neither exciting nor compelling enough for me to strongly recommend it.
• I found it a little odd that this is in some ways a queer normative world (there are throwaway lines referencing someone’s two mothers and Splinter’s brother has a boyfriend), yet the world has strict binary gender role expectations. But it’s beyond me to unpack that in this wee blog post, lol.
• “This is how legends begin” – emphasis on ‘begin’! These legends are off to a slow start, even though a paraphrase of the plot may sound exciting. Hopefully this is a case of book one establishing character, and book two strengthening plot and world.
• 💭 The Bottom Line: Likely to be enjoyed by fans of the genre, Splinter & Ash is one to pick up for its unique POVs rather than high stakes adventure.
• Blogger Reviews: Katy @ A Library Mama, Karen @ Ms Yingling Reads, Briana @ Pages Unbound

Both of these books were Cybils 2024 speculative fiction finalists.