Heroes

Gr 3--7--Princess Devin is back again in the third installment of the "Royal Academy Rebels" series. She has just realized that she would rather be a Magical Creature Caretaker than a princess. Previously, Enchantasia was nearly destroyed by a curse from Alva and Rumplestiltskin, and now a new villain is after Enchantasia. On top of that, the students have to share their school with the villainous students of Fairy Tale Reform School, and Devin has to room with Anna, who almost ended Enchantasia with the Battle of Rumplestiltskin. Can Devin put her own interests aside to help her school? This book includes a lot of the classic fairy-tale characters revamped into a modern, yet classical, image of themselves. This book is fast-paced, and the world that Calonita keeps building upon is fun and engaging. The characters are funny, and the offbeat, irreverent humor is reminiscent of the film Shrek. The action is very much like that of the "Harry Potter" series; the students and school are always under attack. It is recommended that readers approach this one having read the first two books, as it will aid in understanding references to past events, character arcs, and world-building. Character appearances are not described. VERDICT An action-packed, thoroughly enjoyable installment in this refreshing magical academy series.--Maeve Dodds, Charlotte Mecklenburg Lib., NC