The Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy

Welcome Back, Booklovers!  I'm seeing more middle grade this year from Black UK authors and it's truly a thing of beauty. I love reading Black stories from perspectives outside of the US. And I love that more are also getting deals to be US published so the kids here can enjoy them. The Lightcasters is the first book in a new middle grade series called Umbra Tales. I received a copy from Simon & Schuster for review.

Mia lives in Nubis, a city in a world surrounded by darkness.  After a scary previous encounter Mia has no intention of being an umbra tamer like her parents. The umbra are these creatures made of shadows and stars that resemble animals people are familiar with like deer and foxes. When a mysterious group called The Elite takes over the city, Mia must embrace the role of umbra tamer despite her reluctance. Along with her little brother Lucas, Mia and friends must travel through the kingdom of Lunis in search of Queen Katiya whose lightcaster powers should save them from the shadowy Reaper King.

 

It's nice to see a main character who finds out they have powers but doesn't immediately embrace them. Having the weight of her city on her shoulders scares Mia. Plus there's big pressure to be just as heroic as her parents who are being held captive after risking their lives to fight The Elite. She also has memories of her best friend Miles who is working on the side of The Elite and despite being told he's changed she still holds on to hope for him.

Tamers and umbra have a special bond that includes telepathic communication. And I like that this book explored that some umbra and their humans have deep connections while other umbras feel like they are being forced to do their bidding. Mia has to earn her two umbra Lox and Nox's trust.

It's a little lengthy but very fast-paced and I'd say the journey in the middle was a little drawn out but the ending hooks you for the next book. The world is very clearly laid out and even thought the stakes are high it's still funny and whimsical. Pages of research done by Mia's mother are woven throughout the story to give backstory. Mia's connections to her family and friends are a highlight of this story.