The Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors claims to be open to everyone, except, until now, Conjurers. And while the administrators of this fine magical academy say all are welcome, Ella’s family and friends warned her that there would be those who cling to the stereotype that Conjurer magic is evil. There is also the threat of evil returning, as any good fantasy would have.

This story is about acceptance, good vs. evil, and overcoming stereotypes. Ella faces many challenges, including classmates who don’t like her just because she’s a Conjurer and not a Marveller. These students aren’t outright mean to Ella, but their dislike of her does get Ella moved from the room she shares with three Marvellers to a room with a new roommate raised by a Fewel (mortal) family. Ella makes friends, though. Jason, Brigit, and Masterji Thakur are great allies.

The Marvellers is a delightful magical book with a fun magical academy and a diverse cast. The world-building is wonderful and imaginative. Fans of fantastical worlds are sure to enjoy this one.

Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a review copy.

This book was kindly sent to me (unsolicited) by the publishers. All thoughts in my reviewer are my own.

THE MARVELLERS is a masterpiece of our time!! I wish I had this Middle-Grade Fantasy when I was growing up, but I am beyond ecstatic that today’s young readers will have this in their libraries! Dhonielle Clayton is a master at her craft. This world is one you are enthralled and excited about from the very beginning. THE MARVELLERS yanks you into their eccentric world and you will not want to leave!

As with all good stories set in magical schools, not everything is as it seems. Ella deals with a LOT in this book. Watching her try to navigate this new world whilst being true to her own heritage, dealing with microaggressions left and right, on top of all the other horrible things she is put through for being the first Conjurer to a Marvellian school was hard to read about at times. I can clearly see the pull of inspiration our real-world had on Clayton’s writing and I am deeply grateful for her commentary. Recommending this book solely as a “fun magical fantasy school” would be dishonest! Clayton writes about a lot of serious topics in this middle grade. Although the story has loads of fun, lighthearted moments, it is also about Ella dealing with being profiled and verbally attacked on a daily basis.

I will leave this by saying, I truly believe this is a novel every single person should pick up!! There were a few twists that I did not expect, characters I fell fast in love with, and a world I do not want to see an end to. THE MARVELLERS is brilliant! I am still reeling from the ending and desperately hoping that we get more books in this series! THE MARVELLERS is *the* story to heal your inner child!!

CWs/TWs: kidnapping (minor), blood (moderate), death (minor), medical content (minor), microaggressions (major), racism (major), etc.

Dhonielle Clayton is a true artist in her craft and this middle grade adventure is no exception! Su CB a fun read and finally a magic school with a Black main character front and center whose culture isn’t overlooked! The details embedded in the story only enhance it!

This novel is a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky.

Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with irritating Irish pixies.

Being the first isn’t easy for Ella, as some Marvellers mistrust her magic, which they deem “bad and unnatural.” But eventually, she finds friends in elixir's teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures.

Ella becomes a target of suspicion after a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror’s aid. To make matters worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family’s name and track down her mentor before it’s too late.

This middle grade novel is sure to be a hit. The writing is delightful, charming, exceptionally clever, and filled with suspense and humor. A number one pick for fantasy fans.

For many years the Marvellers only came from the sky cities but this year is the first that the school will admit conjurers, although only one accepted the offer and that was Ella Durand but right from the start she is met with mean discriminating classmates. But soon Ella becomes friends with her new room mate and a nice boy that was to show Ella around but they have secrets of their own. But when their favorite teacher goes missing the trio won't stop at anything to find him even being kicked out of school.

This book was really good, Ella never gives up when she knows she is right she will stop at nothing to prove it, despite all the road locks thrown her way and there are many. I think most of us would like to be that brave, and it is refreshing to see a girl accomplish all Ella does. I hope we can follow Ella and her friends all through school and beyond.

This review will appear on my blog on May 3rd

We are before what I hope will be my new favorite magic institute, the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors is the magic academy of the world that the author built, and unlike previous magic schools that claimed to be open for all people of all cultures however when representing those cultures they were nothing more than full of stereotypes, this academy truly claimed to be open for all those people who receive her letter, no matter their religion, nationality or culture; as I was reading I was amazed to see different cultures from all over the world in one place, and I mean a good representation, even seeing Latino representation inside this book filled me with joy as a Latino.

Once I am done hailing the excellent representation this book has I am going to focus a little bit on the story. We have our main character Ella who is a Conjurer, and along with her family and other conjurers are in charge of the Underworld.
Throughout history, the conjurers have been sidelined by the magical world with the presumption that the magic of these people is bad, and at the same time has caused them to be rejected by people without magic or also known as "fewels."

But after many years, and many conversations between the authorities of the magical world, there is a breakthrough within the magical society and Ella is admitted to enter the institute, a fact that causes divided opinions in the magical world; our protagonist Ella is very excited to go to school, but at the time of leaving she is advised by her family that her life will not be very easy because of the stereotypes that are held towards her and her magic.
As expected, inside the institute some people were very mean to Ella, a fact that made me very angry, but at the same time there were very nice people who were Ella's friends.
But not everything can be rosy, right? Finally we have the twist where the evil leader of a society of wizards escapes from the special prison, same that was in the Underworld, this fact will make the magical society go crazy and blame treason to the conjurers, making Ella's life much more difficult.
It will be up to Ella and her friends to discover the whereabouts of their favorite teacher when he mysteriously disappears and the other people in the institute act strangely.

I hope I have given a good premise because throughout the book this story can hook you quite a lot, its magic system is amazing and not to mention the paragons, which are like specialties within the magical world and where each student is placed at the end of their first year; I personally feel quite identified with the paragon of vision, the eye is wise!
But in the same way the other paragons are quite interesting; the subjects that are taught are somewhat particular and rekindled in me the desire to have received a letter to enter this institute when I was 11 years old.

This new school is well on its way to become my new obsession and enter my top favorite sagas, reminding you again that it has a fascinating representation and I just need to know if it is open minded regarding the sexuality of its students, but it is understandable that this topic is not addressed in the first book because most of the characters are still children and were focused on other things, I hope in future books you can see this kind of representation and I think the school could finally be open for everyone, of course, if you get your letter.

I find myself flattered to have been able to read this book before its publication and I'm obviously anxious to get my hands on a physical copy when it comes out, because something also to add is that its cover is super nice and the details inside the book promise quite a lot.

Impressive, captivating and enthralling, the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors has everything to become the favorite saga of many, many people, its doors are open.

Final Rating: 5 stars

In many ways 11-year-old Ella’s world is like our own, but hers has much more magic. To live free from persecution, Marvellers have created floating cities, and an august academy - the Arcaneum Training Institute, where the gifted young are taught. Until now, Conjurors, who live in ordinary cities among the talentless Fewells, have been denied admittance, their gifts treated as suspect, alarming and lesser. Dark-skinned Ella comes from a proud New Orleans conjuror family and is thrilled to be the first to be accepted to Arcaneum. But change is rarely universally welcomed and Ella, while making two fast friends, is a target. When the school’s most notorious graduate breaks out of prison, Ella and her friends are swept up in the arch-villainess’s plans.

All the requirements for a successful series are in place – There are masses of charming details, impressive and complex back stories, an abundance of diversity in characters, food, setting and costume, plenty of drama, and some seriously cute animal friends. Unfortunately there is far too much description: the plot bogs down in the five kinds of sweets floating in the air, all the compartments, and variations and details. The same is true for the exposition: instead of learning Ella doesn’t feel like hero, we get four different variations on how she doesn’t feel like a hero, all piled on top of each other. There is also a troubling lack of precision in continuity and failures in editing – A particular snake drops from a tree only to drop again moments later. A clown doll seems to defy gravity without explanation. Essential words are left out – what part of Headmaster MacDonald held sympathy, a twinge of what flickered over her face, did unbodied instinct really race to the table? Also confusing are the ways familiar elements, such as knitting – which plays a central role – differ in the Marveller’s universe. We are never told how knitting is stitched, forms quilt squares, can produce portraits that are recognizable or can be snatched by a teacher, while somehow leaving the needles behind. While all these flaws and glitches don’t obviate the positives, they do bog down and frustrate the reader and could easily have been fixed.

The compelling cover will sell this book and kids who adore stories set in magical boarding schools will likely persevere. However it is a shame that a series opener that could have been a standout at three hundred pages is going to print weighed down by excesses and hampered by careless editing. Thank you to Henry Holt and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This story is Dhonielle Clayton's Middle-Grade debut however you cannot even tell. She tells this story with the true whimsey that it deserves. This story is so incredibly fun. As someone who loves what the YA genre can bring this story does all of that. The magic is delightful.

Every middle schooler dreams of going to boarding school, or at least I did, and this book makes that desire even more real. With so many mysteries to unfold the story is unendingly engaging. The descriptions of the set are equally amazing as well.

The characters in this story are lovable if a bit one-dimensional at times but never in a way that takes away from their stories. Ella, Bridget, and Jason I love you. Little Black girls everywhere are going to love Ella as well and I cannot wait to see more of her in the future.

If you loved Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky you will love this story as well.

More Black girls and magic please and thank you.

The Marvellers will sweep you into a new world of magic and wonder. With a fantastic new magical school in the clouds, new paragons (houses), and a new villain determined to destroy it all, this fun middle-grade read will take you on an adventure you won't forget. Fall in love with the characters all while imagining where you fit in this magical world.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing an e-ARC of The Marvellers in exchange for an honest review.

Ella Durand is an eleven year old conjuror who is attending the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the sky. She is the first conjuror to ever attend the Marvellian school and many students, teachers and parents mistrust the magic her family practices. When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes from the Underworld prison, supposedly with the help of a conjuror, tensions rise to an all time high throughout the Marveller universe. Ella and her friends must use their growing powers to clear her people’s names before it’s too late.

The Marvellers is Black Girl Magic come to life! I absolutely adored this book 🥰Not only is the cover beautiful, but the world building and attention to detail is so phenomenally done that I felt fully immersed in the Marveller universe. The world Ella inhabits is whimsical and unique. I could easily see this story being adapted for film.

The story was well paced and the mystery element kept me engrossed from start to finish. I loved how diverse the characters were and how many cultures were highlighted through the students and teachers at the Arcanum.

I enjoyed Ella’s journey being the first conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute. Many tried to make her feel unwelcome because they believed the conjure folk practices to be too different and bad. Her strong family ties, support from her mentor Masterji Thakur and friendships with Brigit and Jason gave her the courage to stay and stand up for herself and all conjure folk.

The Marvellers is a book that I wish 12 year old me could read. When I was in middle school I desperately craved books with Black girls like me getting to go on adventures and attend magical schools. It makes my heart so happy to know that today Black girls and other girls of color are getting to see themselves in stories like this because representation matters!

The Marvellers is now tied with Kwame Mbalia’s Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky as my favorite middle grade fantasy novel. I finished the story wanting to be a Conjuror/Marveller just like Ella. While it’s not currently listed as a series, I am almost certain there will be another book and I can’t wait for it!

This book has everything I love about magical schools and secret magical worlds, but better than many I have seen in many ways. The world building is whimsical yet logical, in depth but mysterious. The characters have unique personalities and are not so easily sorted into perfect and bad, and I loved the friendships between children and also between children and adults. Wonderful magical creatures, as well!

The Marvellers builds an interesting and unique world for readers to delve into! The characters were fun to start getting to know and I can tell that like myself students will be intrigued to learn more and more about them as the series continues. The book ended with both closure and cliffhangers that leave the reader feeling both satisfied and ready for more! I loved the nods Clayton gives to other creators in the lit world. Definitely will be adding to my school library collection, and passing on to those kids who every week are asking me for more fantasy titles.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-ARC!

I’m a sucker for books with the found family trope so I loved this one! Also the whole world building was so great and detailed I loved it! This reminded me of Percy Jackson so if you liked those books I definitely recommend this!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title!

Love, love, love!

Dhonielle Clayton has built a lush, vivid, and detailed world that readers will enjoy exploring. It is richly woven with touches of different cultures. The author’s nods to her writing peers throughout the book are sweet and middle grade/ya readers will likely recognize some of the shoutouts.

Yes, the base story of an exceptional student enrolling as an outsider in a magical school is not new, but Clayton takes this blueprint and masterfully spins a tale both compelling and unique in detail that young readers will enjoy.

Ella is a Conjurer, the first Conjurer to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, where the Marvellers study. Ella faces a lot of prejudice - there are many parallels between this magical world and what happens daily in real life. She is determined to learn as much as she can about the Marvellian world while also helping them to understand what Conjuring is - and what it is not.

Along the way, Ella is joined by unlikely friends, her loving family, and a kind mentor who suddenly disappears, much to her dismay. Ella is determined to get to the bottom of what is happening, even as her standing and position in the school becomes more precarious.

I have many questions after this book and look forward to reading more in future books. I’m hooked on this series! Book 2 will be an automatic preorder for me when it comes out.

I loved the world building and magic system. Overall I really enjoyed the book and am excited for everyone else to be able to read it!

Absolutely cracking middle grade fantasy novel, the first of what already seems likely to be a fabulous series. The Marvellers is a take on the secret magic school for kids trope that is unique, inventive, & heavily rooted in a number of ethnic and cultural traditions. The author doesn’t shy away from dealing with issues like bias and prejudice, instead rendering a world just as flawed as ours. The story is fast paced, fun, & establishes a series of characters that are fully rounded and intriguing. I simply cannot wait for this book to come out so I can snaffle my own official copy. Please tell me the rest of the series comes soon!

Harry Potteresque which our kids will love! They will be excited to start another series which is so similar that they love! I cant wait until the next in the series comes out!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

Representation Matters. This enchanting book will appeal to fans of Harry Potter and Rick Riordan. The themes of friendship, overcoming challenges and new kid at school will resonate with kids and adults alike. I look forward to the next installment.

This was just a really great book about magic, being misfits and accepting yourself. I enjoyed Ella, Jason and Brigits friendship and how they looked out for each other during their first year at Arcanum. I really loved the world building and how the magic of everyone was portrayed and how the stigma that Ella received being the first Conjuror to attend the school and how she had to overcome peoples prejudice about her form of magic. Really great start to a series and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book in e-book form. All opinions in this review are my own.

An incredible, fanciful, big-hearted, soaring middle-grade that manages to combine whimsy, kindness, and danger to introduce you to a rich, nuanced, cozy, exciting world. I loved this so much and can't wait to read more in this series