Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts Book Review and Giveaway

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts

Written by Erika Lewis

A 2023 Teacher Favorites Winner (6th-8th Grade) for the Children's Book Council

Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie.

The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy―a foster child raised in the human world―is dying to attend.

A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and―most importantly―finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.

When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she’s a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.

But Kelcie is a survivor, and she’ll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.

Available for purchase on:

• Amazon
• Bookshop.org
• Barnes and Noble

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Erika Lewis is the author of the Kelcie Murphy Series from Starscape, The Color of Dragons from HarperTeen, Game of Shadows from Tor Books, Firebrand from Legendary Comics, and more, many of which have been published around the world.

She grew up in Virginia before going off to Tennessee for school. While at Vanderbilt University, studying Math and Theatre, she spent a semester abroad, visiting haunted ruins and magical forests that would forever spark her imagination and leave behind an insatiable need to travel.

An internship at CNN led to exciting years working in television, developing scripted and reality shows for various studios and networks. Then, one day, Erika knew it was time for her to write on her own, to build fantastical worlds that stayed with her after every return from a trip, and also to play her part in inspiring the next generation of readers and writers.

For more information, visit erikalewis.com, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Threads

REVIEW

Kelcie Murphy stumbles onto The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. She discovers she's a Saiga and can manipulate air. As she develops her powers, Kelcie learns that this new world she discovered is in danger.

This book uses folklore and myths to introduce a new fantasy series. The world and characters were unique and imaginative. I found the book engaging and interesting. I wish the author delved a little deeper into the description of the world. The author does a good job at keeping the story filled with intrigue, mystery, and action. The action and intrigue keep the reader engaged. There were several twists and turns in the story. Young readers will love this new fantasy and enjoy learning and discovering Kelcie's background and new power along with her. Both boys and girls will enjoy reading this book. 

GIVEAWAY
Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a signed hardcover set of all three books in the Kelcie Murphy series, including the final installment: Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key!

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts: Book Giveaway

This post is sponsored by Erika Lewis. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to share my opinion

Lady Flyer Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Based on a true story and set against the backdrop of WWII, a young woman’s love of flying becomes an epic fight for identity and equality.

In the quiet town of Houghton, Michigan, sixteen-year-old Nancy Harkness discovers a passion that ignites her heart in ways she never expected. The arrival of barnstormer pilots brings more than just the thrill of their daring stunts; it brings the promise of adventure. Nancy vows she will be a pilot someday.

Years later, as the dark clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Nancy’s dreams take a new and daring turn. With unwavering determination, she envisions a squadron of female pilots. Yet, her path is far from clear. The male-dominated world of aviation pushes back, determined to keep women out of the skies.

But Nancy isn’t alone in her quest for equality. Jackie Cochran, a formidable aviatrix and Nancy’s rival, has her own dreams and ambitions for women in aviation. As they both navigate the turbulent skies of a nation at war, their destinies intertwine in a story of rivalry, respect, and competition.

REVIEW
Lady Flyer tells the story of Nancy Harkness Love and how she strived to create more roles for women in aviation during WWII. Her views often conflicted with Jackie Cochran. This is based on true historical events.

I've read other historical fiction books dealing with women fighting against the male-dominated world during WWII. This one stood out to me. It felt like the history behind the WASP program was very well-researched. The author delves into the politics, the setbacks, the triumphs, historical events, key historical figures, and gender-discrimination. It has fictional elements, but the author also adds a lot of non-fiction elements into the storytelling that I find really helps me get a better understanding of the time period. Heather Moore does a good job at adding a lot of history into her historical fiction books and presenting different sides to events. The storytelling was well done and engaging. Overall, I found it to be a really interesting read. To learn more, click here.

Please note that I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog.