  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/15/2023 Though orphaned at a young age, Plum has enjoyed her quiet childhood with loving grandparents on a small island. She spends her days tending their lush garden and communing with local animals; but her quiet existence is interrupted by an unexpected invitation to attend the prestigious Guardian Academy on Lotus Island. The school has long existed to train future Guardians, a select set of magically endowed humans capable of transforming into mystical creatures and charged with protecting the natural world. With her affinity for flora and fauna, it seems only natural that Plum would conjure such a power. However, she has only a month to train for her first exam, and there's no magic to be found—she worries she may not have what it takes to become a Guardian after all. The first installment in the new series is effortlessly entertaining and atmospheric, and the new Thai-adjacent world is teeming with magical life and gentle mystery. Additionally, Hong’s imaginative manga-style illustrations and the book’s shorter length will easily draw in younger readers. An enchanting eco-fable sure to intrigue and delight. - Copyright 2023 Booklist. Loading...
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