For those who love fantasy of the wizard variety and are looking for something a little different than the obvious, Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Födi fits the bill.

Cara is a wizard, well not a very good one. It’s why her time at Dragonsong Academy is spent learning to be a spell sweeper in the MOP department. Not exactly glamorous. When the fate of the wizarding world is in jeopardy, Cara and her MOP team, along with Harlee Wu, the supposed “Chosen One”, set off to figure out what is causing tears in the Field of Magic.

Spell Sweeper hooked me right into its clutches from page one. I love that Lee Edward Födi took some inspiration from Harry Potter and other popular wizard fiction but made a completely new world with it. I loved the whole premise of the story, that magic leaves behind residue that needs to be cleaned up and when misguided people do bad things, there are repercussions. The world building was fantastic. I was able to immerse myself in the story and was right there in Seattle and at Dragonsong Academy along with the characters.

Each chapter has a title, a clever and witty title at that, which you don’t see much in fiction anymore but I truly appreciate. I also love how the reader gets a whole bunch of background on Cara and her family as well as the workings of Dragonsong through the one to three page asides slipped in throughout the story where Cara gives us her first person perspective. I love her voice, a little bit snarky and very headstrong. She’s a strong protagonist who is well aware of the lengths she will go to with interesting consequences. The supporting cast of characters are equally as interesting and well developed.

The worst part of this book was it had to end! I wanted more of Cara, Harlee, the MOPs and Dragonsong Academy. Perhaps Lee Edward Födi has another Caradine Moone adventure percolating. I certainly hope so!