A colorful and unpredictable cast of characters . . . Silliness, riddles, puns, and many magical mishaps make this a great choice to help fill the elusive 'funny book' hole that exists in many collections.

School Library Journal

Debut author Pounder blends the particular, peculiar power of elimination competitions with the magic of fairies and witches, a winning combination. Anderson's b&w illustrations--part Edward Gorey, part fashion illustration--bring an appropriately eerie style to the story.

Publishers Weekly

Pounder's entertaining first novel is packed with silliness, suspense, magic, and a surprising final turn. Humorous gray-scale cartoons add to the appeal . . . Promises good fun for middle-graders.

Booklist

Pounder's comic romp froths with eccentric characters and whimsical worldbuilding, while Anderson contributes abundant charming drawings . . . A sweet little magical tale with at least one sequel on the way.

Kirkus Reviews

The wide-eyed figures of Anderson's multicultural cast have an energetic silliness that complements the bubbly humor of the text. Fans of Hale's Ever After High series . . . will find this to be an enchanting counterpart to those books.

BCCB