THE LAST HOPE SCHOOL FOR MAGICAL DELINQUENTS, by Nicki Pau Preto, Viking Books for Young Readers, Oct. 1, 2024, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A “troubled” student gets one last chance to turn things around in The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, by Nicki Pau Preto.
Lavinia “Vin” Lucas is out of control and out of options. Stranded by parents who would rather use their average magical abilities to study dung beetles than raise her, Vin’s been on her own for years. But she’s never been able to corral her own powerful, unpredictable magic. After years of detention, suspension, and expulsion from magic schools far and wide, she’s now being sent to the Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents. If she gets expelled, it’s the end of the line.
Now, Vin is determined to behave. Except no one at Last Hope seems to want her to. Her new teachers—particularly the school’s kind headmistress—push her to explore her magic, and her mischievous classmates delight in every accident. And all the while, a mysterious fire sprite, a suspicious instructor, and her overwhelming abilities might just sabotage Vin. But for the first time, she is not alone.
So when a former student begins attacking the school, Vin must question just how much she knows about the headmistress and her new home. Is this place worth saving? And are her budding abilities—and every trick, trap, and deception in her friends’ delinquent arsenal—enough to protect Last Hope? —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is an exciting read for kids who are especially drawn to “boarding school” and magical fantasy books/series — think The School for Good and Evil, Witchlings, Harry Potter, etc.
Vin is such a likeable character, accidentally causing havoc while trying to remain invisible. She’s street smart but doesn’t believe in herself or her magic. She’s relatable, even though her story is set in a world of magic.
And what a world of magic. Author Nicki Pau Preto has created a magical system that’s intriguing without being confusing. It’s these magical elements that really bring the story to life. The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is Preto’s middle-grade debut, but it doesn’t feel like one. Preto’s writing is strong and assured and fun to read.
The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents is a standalone novel, but there’s room for more books in this world. Fingers crossed!
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