I wasn't sure what to expect, but I enjoyed reading this. An interesting story with fun characters. Well written.

Riley starts a new series here with a big whump - horrible, clawed creatures exploding out of the ground in Washington DC and a young hero in the making witnessing it all. Similar in broad description to the Potter & Percy Jackson vein of adventure stories for kids, this one comes with a harder edge and wildly inventive storyline. As in most stories of this kind, the adults are often clueless or deceptive jerks while the kids are brave, clever heroes. There is equal time given to male and female heroes which means an appeal to both boys and girls.

The four (or seven?) branches of magic described here as well as how they were discovered provides a new approach to the genre. Sure, there are nods to Camp HalfBlood and Hogwarts, but also veins reminiscent of Stephen King’s Firestarter and Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders series, as well as Merlin and Arthur. What pulls the story together, though, are the kid characters - tough, salty, vulnerable, and oh so powerful, they save the day and, most likely, the future.

This was a lot of fun to read! At first, when giant creatures started attacking the city, I wasn't sure it was going to be my kind of adventure... I was wrong! Revenge of Magic is a fast paced and action-packed story.
Given that it is a story about a school of magic, I thought it might be similar to Harry Potter, but I found this story to be very original with very likable characters.
The main character Fort is trying to uncover so many secrets about the creatures and about his new school he is not sure who he can trust.
If you enjoy magical adventures, this is a great one!
Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to review this ARC.

I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
I've enjoyed Riley's other series and feel his writing has taken a more mature tone in this one. This is clearly for middle school level readers rather than elementary.
A secret magic school exists to stop the "old ones" from returning and destroying humanity. It came about after odd excavation sites turned up dragons with human riders holding books of magic. The scientists discovered that only children born on or after the Discovery Day could read the books and learn the spells.
The main character, Fort, was in DC with his father when the creatures' attack happened. It grabbed his dad and Fort couldn't save him. He was controlled by a voice in his head. This forged a link to one of the young people at the secret school. He's brought there by Dr. Oppenheimer and studies magic. Riley develops a set of characters that bond and work together to destroy a portal and delay the old ones from invading earth.
Though there is an anti-government thread running under the storyline, the author offers reasons for the Colonel's attitude and reactions (he lost his son in the attack.
Readers who enjoy fantasy will read this book quickly. There is also plenty of action to keep a more reluctant reader's attention.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I've loved every book James Riley has written. Both the Half Upon a Time and Story Thieves series are wonderfully unique and hilarious, and so I was very excited to see the announcement of his new series, The Revenge of Magic, for--count 'em--SEVEN books. Thank you so much to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for letting me get an advance read on this book. It comes out March 5, and while the tone is a bit different than that of James Riley's previous books, it is a fantastic story full of twists and turns that will keep readers engaged and hungering for the next book.

The book begins with Fort and his father touring the Lincoln Memorial, while Fort's father tells anyone within hearing distance about the wonderful feats Fort will accomplish someday. It's both embarrassing for Fort and completely endearing. As the story progresses, Fort continues to hear his father's voice in his head, as a sort of bolstering presence. I loved how his father influenced him throughout the book.

Cyrus, the student who practices clairvoyance, is the perfect foil for Fort. Every insult and strange look just slides right off him. Plus, he's just awesome, and the rest of the kids don't even recognize it. I expect he will continue to become more awesome as the series continues.

What I love most about James Riley's books is that you'll be reading and you think you know how things are going to work, and then he throws in a twist that turns everything around so you have a completely different perspective. THE REVENGE OF MAGIC is no exception to this rule, but I don't want to spoil anything. Suffice it to say, Fort has to rethink both his own goals and the overall strategy against the beings who attack.

Everyone is keeping secrets from everyone else in this book. Some of them are because they've been told to keep secrets, others out of fear or to repress bad memories, but the end result is chaos. Fun times! Actually, since this is the first of seven books, I think the secrets are necessary. I expect there will be many more reveals.

I was not surprised to find James Riley leaving this book on a cliffhanger. It was like--bam!--here's something for you readers to hold on to until the next book arrives.

I did mention at the beginning of this review that this book's tone was different from his others, and so I do think I should address that. One of my favorite things about his other books is the humor, and that's not a big part of this one. It's not completely devoid of humor, but it's not a main focus like in the other books, I think because Fort is dealing with grief and anger during this book. Humor would seem out of place. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it does come into play as the series progresses. Regardless, I still very much enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series.

A FAST-PACED FANTASY ADVENTURE!
When a monster from the depths of the earth attacks the Lincoln Memorial and takes Fort's father, his life is changed. Little does Fort know that he's about to be introduced to a secret magical training school where only kids can read the newly discovered but ancient magical spell books. Apparently, it's magic they hope will stop any further attacks on humans. Fort is thrust into a high-stakes situation with more questions than answers. His curiosity and determination lead him to discover two former, powerful students who know how the Old Ones were involved in the first attack. And how the Old Ones are trying to return to Earth to rule the humans. It's a wild ride of action and fantasy plotting written by the author of The Story Thieves. You won't be able to put down.

Twelve-year-old Fort is visiting the Lincoln Memorial with his father when Washington, DC is struck by earthquakes. These are not normal earthquakes though, giant monsters are rising from the ground and, while trying to save more people, Fort's father is sucked into the Earth by one of the monsters. Riley's book is a whirlwind of action from the first page and includes monsters, myths, government school of magic, and more. Fans of Percy Jackson, X-Men, and Indiana Jones will love this book. I am looking forward to reading the next installment.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy.