
A magical hotel and animal sanctuary are a fantastic setting for an adventure featuring dragons, trigers, poachers and dark magic. There were a few unanswered questions. The plot was fast-paced. The characters were well rendered.

When Marian‘s father is murdered she suddenly learns about the magical creatures in the world and her own abilities to communicate with them. As she learns to help them, she also learns about the business of selling and holding them captive. Is this why her father was murdered and how can she truly help these amazing creatures? I loved the mythological aspects of this story, but I was disappointed in the ending.
#TRS2024 #MiddleGrade #YA

A book, a mug of boozy cocoa, and a blanket make for a perfect evening.
I‘m finding this story fascinating so far, but I‘m also far enough in that I am ready for some more answers.
#TRS2024 #MiddleGrade #YA

This is a beautiful story of magical creatures and places mixed with coming of age feelings that children work through like grief, loss, friendship and love. Mal and Christopher form the heart of this story whilst magical creatures spin around them flying them to a heart wrenching finale. Young and old will love this tale.
#ChildrensStory #Fantasy #MagicalCreatures #Adventure #LibraryMouse #BookLover #BookDragon

I‘m weirdly thankful to have gotten covid recently as I read double what I usually do, and got into some books which I‘d bought but just had sitting around - like this gem. I LOVED this. Zoraida writes incredible families. This was cute and fun and exciting and gripping and moving. I would read more of these characters. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a unique adventure! Plum is learning what it takes to be a Guardian…if she can pass the first test! This adventure has mashup creatures, a lush setting, and friendship. I am looking forward to seeing what else Plum gets up to! 🧘♀️

Both My kid and I enjoyed this book. If your little likes mythical creatures then this is a nice little book. It‘s has colourful art and fun rhymes. It was fun listening to my little guy read this book to me at bedtime tonight.

When Marjan‘s father is mysteriously murdered, she discovers he was a veterinarian to the kinds of mythic creatures in the stories he once told her…and she inherited his power to care for beasts like griffons and gnomes herself.
Once There Was is an emotionally rich, beautifully told story, full of adventure, mystery, and magical realism, with great Iranian-American representation, about the paradox of living—wonder and responsibility, grief 👇

What a fun world to have been dropped into for a while! Awesome creatures, an epic adventure with siblings, family drama, betrayal, and a surprise twist! Enjoyed this one a bunch. 🦄