All posts by C. J. Milbrandt
RELEASE DAY: Beneath the Torch
Today’s a book birthday! Byways #11, Beneath the Torch: A Ewan Johns Adventure is now available in both paperback and hardcover editions. It’s the first Byways “crossover,” in which two brothers (and their respective teams) find themselves in a city that’s a shared waypoint.
Story Summary: Ewan’s and Zane’s teams have reached their shared waypoint, but Continue reading RELEASE DAY: Beneath the Torch
#amreading: Gail Carson Levine
I’m currently reading Fairest by Gail Carson Levine. She’s long been one of my favorite middlegrade authors. Her spins of classic fairy tales are fun and funny. Back when my daughters were younger, we gobbled up the books in her Princess Tales set. Now I’m filling in the gaps by reading some of her newer(ish) and new-new titles.
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The alabaster statue was no longer in his elevated niche. Phineas stood gazing up at the beautiful mermaid perched at the fountain’s pinnacle, one of her hands upraised in a graceful stretch. She looked as if she was trying to pluck a star from the sky. If his sister’s stories were true, it was probably so she could give it to her prince.
—HARROW by C. J. Milbrandt
ART: A Moment’s Repose
GAME: Name that Book Cover
MAILBAG: Seattle, Washington
I’m always excited to get mail from readers who take me up on the Hometown Challenge. Two postcards arrived last week from Seattle!
Two stamped & sealed “Banners Boys” postcards are off in this morning’s mail—one stamped with Ewan’s seal, and one with Zane’s seal! Which brother are you cheering on? Write to tell me, and you can receive a postcard as well!
BYWAYS: Illustrations
Every one of the Byways Books includes beautiful full-color art by my illustrator, Hannah Christenson. Here’s a sampling from Book #10, Back on Track: A Ganix Johns Adventure.
Torio stood silently at the window, gazing out past the garden wall. Beyond the hollyhocks and runner beans, there was a dusty road leading to another world—pink and ocher plains, the striped tents of spice traders, and basking stones where golden guardians lazed.
—RAKEFANG by C. J. Milbrandt
#amreading: Kate Saunders
After borrowing The Whizz Pop Chocolate Shop from the library, I promptly bought my own copy … and its sequel. (I do crazy stuff like that.) Her middlegrade adventures suit my tastes—wildly whimsical, never too scary, and riddled with wit. Saunders wins my heart because she makes me laugh. The Curse of the Chocolate Phoenix sends Continue reading #amreading: Kate Saunders
C. J. Milbrandt 