Escape to Witch City

Employing careful detail throughout this tale of survival, Latimer (Witches of Ash and Ruin) conjures the sensibilities of an alternate early 19th-century London, one in which magic exists and witches are vilified. Queen Alexandria Black, who staunchly set out on an anti-witch crusade after reclaiming the throne post–witch uprising, rules with a campaign of fear and surveillance. Emmaline Black, her niece, lives in the castle with her mother Isolde; both have the dark hair and pale skin of the family line. As Emma’s 13th birthday approaches, she becomes increasingly restless, especially as she’ll be Tested for witch blood—something every child, even Crown Prince Edgar, must undergo. While at the Testing, Emma meets two other 13-year-olds, dark-skinned Eliza, who has tight curls, and freckled, light blue–eyed Maddie. But things soon go awry, leading the trio, and Edgar, to flee the city in search of answers—and others like them. This pulse-pounding adventure will engage readers with its sense of wonder grounded by relatable, age-appropriate experiences, including arguments with parents, fear of not fitting in, and a burgeoning search for self. Ages 10–up. Agent: Silvia Molteni, Peters Fraser & Dunlop. (Aug.)