January 8, 2024
Having grown up in hiding with her mother, roaming around the human world but never settling in one place for too long, teenage MJ Rodriguez knows that she must conceal from other humans her identity as a half human, half Encanto being from a magical world. Not only is she an Encanto—a type of fairy from Filipino mythology—but MJ is also the only child of the Encanto king. Upon his death, MJ must return to the world of the Encantos, but she has much to learn of the beguiling fairies’ ways. As MJ spends time in the magical city of Biringan and among Encanto nobility, she is told of her role in a potential alliance between the four Encanto kingdoms. It soon becomes apparent, however, that dark forces intent on destroying the Encanto partnership are plotting against her. With the help of new friends and the handsome yet annoying knight Lucas, MJ is thrust into precarious political situations all while learning to harness her inner magic and preparing to claim the throne. This entertaining tale by de la Cruz (Snow & Poison), the story of a girl finding her strength and voice, teems with adventure, romance, and magic and prominently features Filipino culture. Ages 12–up. Agent: Richard Abate, 3Arts.
February 1, 2024
Grades 7-11 Launching a new series inspired by Filipino mythology, de la Cruz dabbles once more in magic and fantasy. MJ Rodriguez is half encanto and half human, the only child of the powerful King Vivencio of the Sirena Court of Biringan. When her father dies, MJ begrudgingly leaves the human world to assume the throne in Biringan, now in turmoil. There she is met with opposition due to her mixed lineage and suspects her father may have been murdered. The high-pressure political intrigue is counterbalanced by a well-written romance between MJ and a charming knight, Sir Lucas, who fall for each other during their quest to uncover who put a deadly curse on MJ's father. Readers will connect with MJ's struggle to overcome barriers created by those who do not want her to succeed as ruler, who shun her rather than celebrate her differences. Family betrayal, court politics, magic, mythology, and romance blend into an irresistible tale that will sweep readers off their feet, happy in the knowledge that a sequel is already in the works.
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Starred review from January 15, 2024
The heir apparent to a fairy-realm kingdom must ascend the throne after her father dies. Half-human/half-encanto Maria Josephina "MJ" Robertson-Rodriguez, who's been hiding in the human world of Southern California with her mortal mother, is confronted by magical beings, who announce that her father, King Vivencio Basilio of the Sirena Court, is dead, and that she's in danger. MJ is taken to Biringan, "the hidden fairy realm of the Philippine islands," and she soon realizes that no amount of schooling by her mother or correspondence from her father could have prepared her for its magical vastness--or the political disarray threatening her succession. As her queenly coronation looms, she attends the Biringan Academy of Noble Arts (where not even her peers from other kingdoms can be trusted), participates in council meetings with other royals (who question her ability to rule), and anxiously waits for her magical powers to manifest. MJ also investigates the late king's death, aided by new friend Phoenix "Nix" Xing (a fellow hapcanto) and unlikely ally Sir Lucas Invierno--and discovers a dark magic that could claim her life next. From the quirky nicknames to the terrifying mambabarangs, or witches, de la Cruz's latest is rich in Filipino culture and mythology. MJ's rapid acceptance as ruler of a magical kingdom that she left as a toddler is somewhat unconvincing, but the plot-driven story will please readers seeking constant action. A promising, culturally rich, Filipino-infused fantasy series opener. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18)
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