Bound To Stay Bound

Other - 11/03/2025 Wolff (the Crave series) conjures a Greek mythology-inspired magical school in this lively series launch, a dark academia fantasy. Thirteen-year-old Penelope Weaver’s first year at Anaximander’s Academy is off to a disastrous start. First, she’s attacked by snakes on the bridge leading toward the school, causing her to miss most of the opening assembly. Then, instead of being assigned to studious Athena Hall with her twin brother, Paris, and like every other member of her family, she’s placed with the fun-loving Aphrodites, whom other students look down upon as unserious. Her frustration dissipates upon meeting her perky roommate Fifi, who becomes Penelope’s first real friend. When the annual competition between halls is revealed to be a scavenger hunt relating to items found in Pandora’s Box, Penelope rallies her fellow Aphrodites to take part, hoping a win will secure their status as students to be reckoned with. Simultaneously, Penelope’s relationship with Paris becomes increasingly strained as he begins adopting self-important behaviors learned from his Athena peers. Penelope also wonders why she seems to be the only one hearing mysterious noises and seeing strange sparkles throughout campus. Though slim worldbuilding makes for a somewhat befuddling read, white-cued Penelope’s refreshing character arc injects effervescent energy into an action-packed volume. Ages 8-12. Agent: Emily Sylvan Kim, Prospect Agency. (Feb.) - Copyright 2025

School Library Journal - 01/01/2026 Gr 5—In Wolff's intriguing middle grade debut, 13-year-old Penelope begins her education at Anaximander Academy, a boarding school where students live by the tenets of Greek myths. Both Penelope and her twin brother, Paris, are expecting to be placed in Athena Hall, like their parents before them. Penelope constantly compares herself to the ideal Athena Girl, as described and demonstrated by her mother. A series of mishaps causes Penelope to be placed in Aphrodite Hall, where outgoing Fifi and kind Arjun quickly befriend her. As classes begin, Penelope seeks to get accepted to Athena Hall while she continues to experience odd and magical happenings that only add to her feeling out of place. The school's focus on the myth of Pandora for the year involves a scavenger hunt and leads to interesting discussions by the teens about the stories we're told, and if Pandora really is the villain. Visions of an unknown woman add an additional layer of mystery to the happenings at the school. Though pacing drags during the initial setup and the constant string of mishaps strains credulity, the rest of the story pays off for those willing to persevere. Penelope and Paris have red hair; Fifi and Arjun have brown hair and brown skin. VERDICT Readers looking for more Greek-myth inspired fiction in the vein of Percy Jackson or Shana Targosz's River of Spirits will love this series starter.—Kelcy Davis - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.