Firefly Crown

The magical ability to control insects determines social standing in this fast-paced, action-packed fantasy adventure by Diño (The Serpent Rider). Twelve-year-old Yumi's seeming inability to use magic to compel crickets like her mambabarang, or sorcerer, parents leaves her feeling discouraged and inadequate. When her parents and other mambabarang are summoned to the palace to witness the empress's coronation, Yumi stows away on the transport ship, eager to capitalize on her proven affinity for metalwork by befriending a skilled craftsperson in the capital city of Tinanglawan. En route, the vessel is attacked by the Ghost Swarm, a mysterious force of undead bugs. After Yumi blows her cover and, with the help of a cricket, saves the ship from the horde, she's praised for her courage and quick thinking. But when the empress's Firefly Crown--a magical object used to boost one's ability to impel fireflies, the empire's only hope of defeating the Ghost Swarm--is stolen, Yumi is unjustly blamed. To clear her name, Yumi must uncover the real thief or risk jeopardizing both the empire's future and her own. An inventive magic system leaves room for readers' imaginations to run wild, and Yumi's cheeky, self-effacing first-person narration provides an accessible entry point for considering complex topics such as class differences and personal loyalties. Yumi's mother is described as having pale skin. Ages 8--11. Agent: Penny Moore, Aevitas Creative Management. (Nov.)

In this Philippines-inspired fantasy, a young sorcerer must find her magic and risk her life to save the empire from dark magic. In a world populated by mambabarang--sorcerers with the ability to communicate with and control insects--12-year-old Yumi is a lowly Cricket who can't wield her powers. Yumi longs to be in the capital city of Tinanglawan, where the revered Fireflies, who can manipulate light, live. When the rajah, the husband of the ailing empress, calls all mambabarang to Tinanglawan for the Crowning of First Daughter Eyrin, Yumi jumps at the chance to leave the countryside. En route, her party is attacked by the Ghost Swarm, a horrific, destructive cloud comprising "the ghosts of all the insects that had ever lived," which was created by dark magic when the magicless, bitter over their unfair treatment, sacrificed mambabarang. On the day of the coronation, the Firefly Crown--the only thing that can defeat the Ghost Swarm--is stolen, and Yumi is falsely accused. In the rajah's dungeon, she makes new insect and human friends and must summon her courage and minimal magic skills to find the real thief and fight the Ghost Swarm. Infused with Filipino folklore, this fantasy is full of action and adventure. The empire's robust worldbuilding includes distinct social classes based on types of magic; Yumi's low status makes her an object of prejudice, and she struggles with finding respect and belonging. A page-turner set in an intriguing world.(Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.