The Magic Awakens (Renegades #1)

A briskly paced adventure in a gritty metropolitan setting follows a pair of orphaned cat sisters finding their way and learning to control their newfound magical abilities in this highly anticipated fantasy novel from Hunter (the Warriors series). Following a devastating fire at the diner where they live, kitty siblings Luna and Willow are forced to scavenge for food and shelter. They soon encounter a rat and dog who introduce the felines to a mystical network of covens composed of creatures who can perform magic. Because of the animals’ abilities, they are desirable as familiars by human witches, who seek to bind the creatures’ magic to their own. When Luna and Willow uncover a prophecy that dictates their divergent paths, they separate for the first time to embark on parallel journeys throughout a city that’s full of danger and intrigue as well as plagued by witches. Hunter crafts an intriguing social structure for the expansive cast, which includes wise old toads and a surprisingly kind young witch-in-training. Warriors fans and cat fanciers alike will find much to pounce on amid the suspenseful action and mysterious milieu that permeate a simultaneously dramatic and heartwarming series launch in which family ties and personal loyalties are put to the test. Ages 8–12. (May)