THE GRIMSBANE FAMILY WITCH HUNTERS

During a quest to try to save her brother, a girl must confront her fears about living up to her family’s legacy.

Bold and brave Anna can’t wait to turn 13 and join her family of witch hunters in Witchless, Indiana, “the Cryptid Capital of the USA.” But her twin brother, Billy, faces the curse of all boys in the Grimsbane family: being home-schooled from age 13 and overprotected in order to avoid the curse of “a horrible, miserable death.” Determined to avoid this fate by breaking the curse, Billy sets off on an adventure on the eve of their birthday, thus setting up a ticking clock that runs down in each chapter, building a satisfying suspense. Worried about Billy’s ability to survive the threats he faces, Anna (who’s cued white) convinces her best friends, Suvi Kumar and Rosario Ortiz-Rivera, that Billy’s fate depends on their actions, and the trio go on a mission to save him. With everything to lose, Anna finds her confidence and skills tested as they face a wild array of threats from all directions including cryptids, a witch known as the Watcher (who’s evaded the Grimsbanes for generations), and more. Regularly saved by the empathic Rosario, who has two moms, Anna confronts unexpected family revelations during her journey. Although the characterization feels less than organic, this spooky, fast-paced read is engaging.

Adventurous, plot-driven mayhem.