Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Cassie and the Spectral Shade is an endearing and mysterious YA novel that blends coming-of-age themes with a sprinkling of the otherworldly.
Prose: Although the tone skews somewhat younger than the protagonist's age–and there's a decidedly old-fashioned quality to the narrative–the fluid and descriptive writing is sure to captivate readers who enjoy dipping into the classics.
Originality: While the setting of a boarding school will draw inevitable parallels, Nichols brings a certain timeless flavor to the storytelling, while offering an enigmatic celebration of the power of creativity. The integrated illustrations further enhance the storytelling.
Character/Execution: Cassie is a lovable character who at once feels out of place, while being comfortably at home within the world of her art. Fellow students and instructors populating the Governor's School for the Arts may sometimes blend together in readers' minds, but the magical elements of the story will keep fans of the lightly spooky engrossed.
Date Submitted: July 01, 2024
At Walgrove, “art is literally magic… for those who know how to wield it,” a twist on the boarding-school fantasy formula, though fans of the subgenre’s classics, including Harry Potter, will find Walgrove in many ways familiar. The unique student vocabulary (such as the pejorative “Judy” for scholarship students), the House system sorting by discipline, and “Jalaw,” the school’s specialty sport, all take cues from Hogwarts, with a 21st century update. The freshest innovation: the student’s artistic talents literally make magic, from casting charms with makeup to opening otherworldly portals by singing, and the professors aim to take advantage.
Cassie is a strong underdog protagonist, and her struggles to find acceptance at a strange new school are relatable. Her new friends form a cast of likable oddballs whose quirk and chatter proves inviting and amusing, and Nichols understands that the secret spice elevating the best magic-school and portal-fantasy adventures is rich, sometimes unexpected friendships. The narrator’s focus often jumps between Cassie and multiple other cast members, which at times can be disorienting. The theme of “art as magic” builds considerable intrigue, especially in the early chapters, and readers will likely hope for more in later volumes.
Takeaway: Lively art-themed magic-school fantasy about finding one’s place and talents.
Comparable Titles: Naomi Novik’s A Deadly Education, DIane Duane’s Young Wizards series.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-
