The Luminaries

August 15, 2022
A family of monster hunters seeks redemption amid danger and mysteries. Sixteen-year-old Winnie Wednesday is devoted to her hometown of Hemlock Falls and its local branch of nightmare-hunting Luminaries. The international organization trains hunters from a young age to deal with all sorts of mythological beasties, such as basilisks and manticores, that emerge from the nightly mist. Luminary members are sorted into clans named after the days of the week, each of which has an associated motto. Winnie hopes to heal some of the damage from an infamous incident involving her father, which resulted in her family's being made outcasts, by passing the hunter trials like three generations of women before her. Anything to avoid life among the oblivious nons who live outside Luminary culture. The Wednesday family's arc is satisfyingly earnest, from dealing with classroom taunting and falls from grace to navigating overnight popularity. A slow-burn romance with a bassist who reeks of cigarettes and weed leads to plenty of ogling during training and a motorcycle ride. The pace rolls steadily along with its gradual buildup of supernatural action and personal stakes before culminating with a tease to the sequel: Readers will want to don a motorcycle jacket and join the nightmare hunt. Main characters read White; the supporting cast includes some diversity in race, religion, and nationality. An entertaining addition to the tradition of young adult adventures in finding oneself. (Fantasy. 13-18)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2022
Grades 9-12 The only thing Winnie has ever wanted is to be a Luminary, or hunter, in her small town of Hemlock Falls, home to many dangerous creatures mythical to humans. But when Winnie's father is labeled a traitor to the Luminaries, she and her family are cast out. She still has one shot at becoming a Luminary, though, if on her sixteenth birthday she can successfully complete three trials. Winnie recruits her ex-best friend, Jay, a promising hunter, to train her, and together they enter the forest and meet a creature more deadly than any encountered, but no one believes Winnie about the being. To solve the mystery of this strange new creature and to ensure her family's survival, Winnie must complete the trials--or die trying. This heroine is full of grit and determination to restore her family's name. In addition, Dennard's newest is overflowing with action, adventure, and mystery with a sprinkling of romance that will keep readers turning the pages.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 10, 2022
A secret international organization called the Luminaries trains hunters to protect an unsuspecting world from nightmarish creatures in this adrenaline-fueled fantasy adventure series opener by Dennard (the Witchlands series). The group’s American branch, headquartered in Hemlock Falls, comprises seven clans, each named for a day of the week and championing a different attribute. The Wednesday clan values loyalty, so when 16-year-old Winnie’s father is exposed as an enemy spy, Winnie and her family become outcasts. Despite her lack of training, Winnie enrolls in the Luminaries’ hunter trials, hoping that success could redeem her family. Upon failing her first trial—a mission to slay one of the terrifying beasts inhabiting Hemlock Falls’ surrounding forest—she’s saved by an entity whose frightening aura rivals that of the forest creatures. But when she tries to warn the examiners about this unknown variable, she mistakenly gets credit for the kill and advances to the next round. Opting to remain mum, Winnie must now find a way to survive the final trials, further risking her family’s reputation and her life. Dennard offsets a slight plot, murky mythology, and underdeveloped supporting cast with plentiful action, terrifying monsters, and a kind, courageous heroine. Winnie has olive skin; the cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media.

July 28, 2023

Gr 8 Up-Winnie and her family belong to a secret order that fights monsters. Well, they used to belong. They were kicked out when it was discovered that her dad turned out to be one of their enemies. With Winnie's 16th birthday coming up, she might miss her only chance to enter the Luminary trials to become a monster hunter. Her and her family's futures are at stake. It will take the help of current hottie Jay Friday, who is also her ex-best friend, to get her through more than just the monster trials. With this novel, Dennard has woven a paranormal tale that monster hunters everywhere will enjoy. While there are some romantic feelings discussed, this is a mostly romance-free fantasy, which might be of interest to a lot of readers. The main characters are cis-het and white with some BIPOC side characters. The whole atmosphere of the novel feels like an episode of a 1990s Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode. VERDICT A fun, monster-hunting romp great for fans of paranormal fantasies.-Rena Gibson

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.