Ancora: The Fog Banshee’s Curse

Pittman’s high-energy fantasy debut follows the three white Harper sisters—blond “talking encyclopedia” Lulabelle, 11; freckled and impulsive Kat, 10; and artistic, asthmatic Rosie, eight—as they enter a magical realm through an innocuous-looking cave entrance one summer day. When they find themselves in the double-mooned land of Ancora, where inhabitants from their favorite stories exist alongside magical creatures and folk, they soon discover that the lush, verdant land is wracked by inner turmoil, and a nefarious, prophecy-obsessed Spellbinder is on the loose. Along with his allies in the shadows, he is intent on inciting chaos—specifically by freeing a dreaded, deadly Fog Banshee, whom the townsfolk initially suspect is connected to the three new visitors. Aided by McMorris’s b&w die-cut-style chapter header illustrations, Pittman’s descriptive narrative reveals a memorable cast—witty and mischievous comrades, the helpful patriarch of the Stewart family, a mysterious Enchantress—amid a story of sisterhood as the siblings pursue the protection of all they love and hold dear. Fans of classic portal fantasies will root for the individually endearing Harper sisters in Pittman’s fast-paced, capable series starter. Ages 8–12. (Self-published)