pickPerfect for MS students seeking more fantasy. Main plot centers around Ella, the 1st conjurer to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, and her struggles to be accepted in the Marveller world. At times I tired of the whole outsider angle, but as a 50ish woman, I‘m not the target audience. Good lessons on friendship and loyalty. Loved that the villain was female, and a cunning one at that.
✅ First book for #SnowedIn2024
so-soIt's too similar to the Harry Potter series in general framework (and some specific details).
pickI have an online snow day today, so I had a few Zoom meetings this morning but also time to finish this magical story. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and characters in this story. It‘s very much about friendship and prejudice as well. I could see some of the events coming but there were still plenty of interesting twists. It‘s clearly the beginning of a series, but it also contained a complete story.
#MiddleGrade #audiobook #TRS2023
pickElla Durand is the first Conjurer to attend Arcanum Training Institute, where Marvellers learn to discover and develop their magical talents. She is a brave and persistent girl. The Marvellers is a middle grade fantasy that tackles some important real-world issues while being suspenseful and engaging. The world building is detailed, creative and vivid with a well woven plot. A highly recommended addition to the magic school genre.
Made a group on Facebook for the books universe since none existed yet 🥰
https://m.facebook.com/groups/1186703192287150/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT
pickI LOVED IT! This book was amazing and so hard for me to put down. I can't wait to read the next book and excited for the rest of the series to come out.
"She fazed around and found Lian squeezing between Abina and Clare."..."I do think, sir, with all due respect, that my father, Dr. Wong, the Supreme Marveller Judge, would want me happy."
Note: Draco Malfoy 2.0
"The competitors snatched the lids off and started singing to their rice. A jolt went up Ella's spine. Their songs reminded her of conjure spells. Were they similar?"
"I want to be marvelous too."..."But you already are."..."Brigit's compliment felt like a rare jewel."
"One day I was hanging out with my guardian, Ms Mead, knitting mittens to sell on the subway, and the next thing, I woke up here."
"Gran had told Ella that Marvellers felt their talents were to different."
"Ella couldn't keep up as the beautiful new quilt grew longer and longer by the second, spreading across Brigit's lap."... "Her eyes snapped open; the blue of her pupils had turned snow white."..."She glanced back down at her creation: the completion of that strange woman's face. Who is that?"..."I don't know."
Notes:
Aces formed in lower school
5 rare monsterous marvels
Reject category system
Developed elixir that made them able to share their marvels
Leader is Gia Trivelino
Notes:
Gia Facts
Prisoner
Ability to see thread of universe and manipulate them
Labeled Dangerous
Paragon of Vision
Ace or Anarchy
Notes:
Don't know what Paragon Conjuring falls under
People are being mean about new conjure class
Clare and Lian don't like Siobhan either because her mom works with faeries and they don't always follow the rules
Bigotry isn't allowed and if caught he will recommend immediate expulsion
No parallel between aces and conjurors, Ace is a slur, misguided group of Arcabum students who turned into criminals and excommunicated from city
Notes:
Dr Winchester- teaches past, present and future
Dr Guadalupe Perez- Universal Incants Teacher teaches how all magical languages in the world came together to create the Marvellian incant-book
Dr Ursu teaches Elemental Marvel
Madame Sera Baptiste teaches Xonjure Arts and is Ella's Godmother
Masterji Thakur teaches elixirs, unlocking power of 3000 year old spices and how they aid in marvelling, intro to Paragon of Taste
Notes:
Ella knows more than the "born marvellers"
Brigit finally shows up to class late and grumpy
Dr Mbalia- teaches importance of the story incant and its connections to West African cultures
Dr Bearden- teaches introduction to marvel Light where they'll learn to pull their light out
"To marvel means to witness or to gander. The first Marvellers felt that all magical people"..."and their marvels were supposed to be celebrated. Everyone might speak a different language, look different, or have different gifts, but they all come from the stars and belong together. So they decided to make it official and form a community to protect themselves and embrace their gifts."
"Attending the Arcanum is the initial step to joining our great community. This is the earliest footage we have pieced together from our very first Gatherfeast. Marvellian historians recovered images from excavate d news-boxes and scrolls to piece together what it might've looked like on that cold January day almost three hundred years ago."... "All the magical people of the world had to hide."
"It's my favorite. I feel like faeries and pixies are misunderstood."
Notes:
Sister Bea is a vision
Rottie: Sweet Pea
Rotties live in walls, love their photo taken and hoard desserts in pouches
Dr. Zolghad- Paragon of Vision- from Iran- now lives in Betelmore
"Vision Tower foyer. A massive mechanical eye hung from the ceiling, blinking and turning to gaze in different directions. A gigantic heliogramof founder Louis Antonio Villarreal tipped his wide-brimmed hat."
Note:
Caretakers are Auriga and Aries
St Christopher senses danger
"Brigit's been raised outside of this world . . . Much like you, but among only Fewels. Which is so rare for Marvellians. Living with them and not knowing your heritage can be challenging. A shock to the system. So, she's struggling to adopt our ways, which you already know about."
Notes:
Wakes up in different room and something sketchy is going on
Maybe roomates complained and asked for the change?
New roomate is Brigit she's grumpy had icy Blue eyes was girl teased at assembly night before
Notes:
Jason- guide/trainee helper, level one, Eugene family, lot's of siblings in upper school
Wesley Eugence- Jason's brother, level four
Allen- Jason's brother, level 3
Beatrice- Jason's sister, level 3
Grace- Jason's sister, level 2
Ella's Wish: "Everyone will like conjure - and me."
"This year will be a journey for us all. For our new Level Ones, it'll be a time of discovery, learning about your marvels and how each Paragon seeks to offer up a family of minds and talents."
Notes:
Feels a tug towards a door of restricted lift than Masterji shows up. He gives off suspicious vibes. She looks back and it's no longer there.
"They walked past living-busts of the founders. Olivia Hellbourne the Patient with her magical flute; Shuai Chen the Keen and the storm clouds swirling around his chest; Indira Patel Brave and her beautiful gold daggars; Louis Antonio Villarreal the Sage with his twitchy handlebar mustache and glittering crystal ball; and Femi Ademola the Honest and his bowl of truth soup."
Notes:
Anh- from Hanoi
Masterji Thakur- mentor for the year
Uniform- level ones wear white, level twos wear bright orange, level threes wear sapphire blue and level fours wear Plum purple
Trainee oath:
"I shall observe the tenets of marvellers. I shall respect the elder Marvellians. I shall never misuse my marvel. I shall be a champion of fairness and justice. I shall only channel the like for good. I shall never cover or desire another's marvel."
The Tenets of Marvellers
1. Integrity: Honor the elders, the marvels, and one's ancestors.
2. Self-Control: Positively control one's feelings and behaviors.
3. Perseverance: Show effort and persistence to walk a noble path.
4. Goodness: Only channel the light.
"Marvelling, channeling the celestial light within to manipulate the universe and display its grandeur."
Saints: Ella's "talking things" passed down through generations of the family who counsel and protect her
"Ella's new roommates gawked at Winnie like she was a fly let into the house"
Notes:
Masterji Thakur: Paragon taste with spice marvel
Headmaster Paloma Rivera
Ella's mom can talk to her into her mind
Godmother: Sera Baptiste her moms cousin
"Conjure companions were never caged because it'd be like locking away your best friend, a part of you."
Ella's roomates:
Lian Wong: Dad is Supreme Head judge of the courts of justice. Jiaozi-fu dog/Chinese Guardian lion, comes from family of spirits, gives off Draco Malfoy vibes
Samaira: Djinn (genie) umi is the president of the United league of marvellers, moms a touch and umi is vision with wisdom marvel
Siobhan: moms touch with metal marvel, dads a spirit
"The sky-ferry spread out before them: lush velvet seats, brass buttons Ell wished she could press, and a constellation map glimmering with colorful animals."
"most Marvellers had pets and sometimes monsters in their homes, but only Conjurors had companions, which were like your animal soul mates."
Paragon of Vision
Feel free to screenshot or download them took the quiz and this would be my "house"
"Ella spotted candles left in windows and galleries dressed in black, red, and green, all in support of her decision to go to the Arcanum Training Institute. Many folks wore their Sunday best and threw conjure-roses"
The Marvellers | 
