Review – Spark by Sarah Beth Durst (4.5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: May 14, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1328973429
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: ARC from Amazon Vine
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
“Storm beasts and their guardians create perfect weather every day, and Mina longs for a storm beast of her own. But when the gentle girl bonds with a lightning beast—a creature of fire and chaos—everyone’s certain it’s a mistake. Everyone but Mina and the beast himself, Pixit. Quickly enrolled in lightning school, Mina struggles to master a guardian’s skills, and she discovers that her country’s weather comes at a devastating cost—a cost powerful people wish to hide. Mina’s never been the type to speak out, but someone has to tell the truth, and, with Pixit’s help, she resolves to find a way to be heard.”
I got a copy of this book to review through the Amazon Vine program. I have been reading so many amazing books lately I have really felt lucky. I have enjoyed a lot of Durst’s books in the past and was excited to see a new middle grade book from her. This ended up being an incredibly fun fantasy read.
Mina has been bonding with her storm beast egg for the last two years and is super excited when hatching time approaches. However when Pixit emerges as a lightening beast everyone is confused. How can quiet careful Mina end up with a storm beast known for chaos and excitement? How will Mina ever fit in with the other lightening beast trainees, who are all energy and chaos themselves?
This was a wonderful read. There is a lot of humor in here and I loved the storm beasts as well. The book is fast-paced, fun, but still meaningful and engaging.
The dynamics between Mina and her family and then Mina and her classmates were very well done. They are fun and loving, yet still face some challenges. Of course, I also loved the storm beasts. Pixit was amazing and I would love to have a storm beast of my own!
I loved how Mina was quiet and thoughtful but was still able to really dig in and make change happen. It was nice that this wasn’t a book where a quiet person learned to be loud, but rather a book where a quiet person was able to make change in her own way.
Overall, this is a great read for all ages. I think kids of all ages as well as adults will really enjoy this. Boys and girls will most likely enjoy this equally as well, even though the main character is a girl, my twelve year old son is really loving this book. Highly recommended.
