The Marvellers is Dhonielle Clayton's middle grade debut and what a debut it is!
Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to ever go to the Arcanum Training Institute where Marvellers go to learn everything there is to know about magic; but she receives a less than warm welcome from her classmates. Tensions keep growing as the year goes by, especially after a famous convict escapes from prison and the escape is blamed on Conjurors everywhere. At least, Ella can count on her two friends: the angry Brigit and the friendly Jason.
The Marvellers was a great middle grade boarding school book. I enjoyed its plot, its setting, its characters. The mystery elements seemed a bit predictable to me but I didn't mind one bit. The story was very well woven and appealing from beginning to end. The characters were layered and I loved seeing them grow as characters but also seeing their relationships change.
I really liked the writing, I found it easy to read yet detailed and even lush in the setting descriptions. I felt like I was there, right beside Ella and i loved every second of it!
I hope there will be more books in this series and cannot wait to read more by Dhonielle Clayton.