It's MMGM with a review of A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel , illustrations by Ayesha L. Rubio

A Sky Full of Dragons (The Wand Keepers #1) by Tiffany McDaniel, illustrations by Ayesha L. Rubio
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Format Read:  Paperback 
Number of pages:   352 pages
Published:  September 24, 2024
Source:  Purchased

Opening Lines: "Aunt Cauldroneyes made pointed hats covered in bright green warts for witches, large floppy hats covered in crystal eyes and moonlight for werewolves, and hats that had an edge of mist and a ribbon for the ancient trees in the forest."

On a stormy night, Aunt Cauldroneyes found a baby at the bottom of a purple cauldron and named her Spella De-Broom.  Since then, Spella has lived in the Hungry Snout Forest with her aunt, her mischievous enchanted hats and their mummified cat, Egypt.   When Spella turns eight, she is to receive an invitation to Dragon's Knob, a school for wand magic.  But on the day she is meant leave, a wizard appears at the door, requesting a repair of a growling hat-only for her Aunt Cauldroneyes to be sucked into the hat and vanish.  Fearing for her aunt, Spella heads to Dragon's Knob in search of answers.  But upon her arrival, she finds protesters gathered at the gates, bullies furious over the school's recent changes, and amid the chaos a new friend, Tolden who vows to help Spella solve the mysterious disappearance of her aunt.  

In the first ninety pages, the reader is introduced to Spella's world- a place of love and comfort.  I love how it established Spella and her aunt's strong bond, and introduced their enchanted home in the forest.  Their home is truly magical with its window glass made of wild grapes and raspberries, doors that smell of chocolate, where thread is spun from sugar and buttons taste like caramel.  It reminds me a little of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where the little details make it all the more enchanting. I loved that Spella's aunt is a milliner that creates all of these wonderful hats imbued with unique personalities.  They're chaotic and whimsical and staunchly loyal, making them all one big happy family.   Each chapter begins with a gorgeous illustration by Ayesha L. Rubio and there are footnotes for the various magical terms.  

Spella's world is then disrupted when her aunt is taken by an unseen enemy, leading her to a school for wand magic.  There, conflicts arise between two factions: Dragon Knob, which has started to teach only plant-based magic, and a group of witches and wizards determined to continue using animal-based magic.   Woven throughout the story are themes of deforestation, animal endangerment, and activism, highlighted by Spella's aunt's involvement in W.O.L.V.E.S (Witches Oath to Love and Value the Environment for Spellwork).  At first, it might seem like these elements wouldn't fit together, but McDaniel blends them seamlessly into the story.  A Sky Full of Dragons will appeal to readers who love magical schools, dragon-filled stories, or immersive worlds rich with detail and adventure.  Book 2, The Mummy Snatcher Curse releases on 9/30/25, can't wait.