Book Review

Book review: Sparkers by Eleanor Glewwe

Fourteen-year-old Marah is talented in languages and music, but her social class is desperately poor. She has no magical ability – unlike the elite governing class – and little chance of a future career. Then a deadly disease breaks out in her city and Marah must watch while others around her die. But when Mara forges an alliance with the rich boy Azariah, they unravel the clues to the plague in a banned book of forgotten language. And in its pages, they discover a secret even more dangerous than the plague.

Now they’re on the run.

Sparkers was such a gripping read that I borrowed it several times from the library to reread before buying a copy to keep. The world building was effortless, the characters believable and likable, and the plot was beautifully layered. Under the surface it’s quite a political story, tackling issues of social change, corruption in government, friendship, truth and justice. The magical stuff is really just a natural part of the story world and not a major feature in itself, so I wouldn’t describe the story as high fantasy. I’m glad I read it. I wish that I had written it.

Recommended for 12+