Beast & Crown #2: The Ice Witch

From Texas Bluebonnet Award winner Joel Ross, author of The Fog Diver, comes the second book in his sweeping fantasy duology.

Ji and his friends Roz, Sally, and Chibo have gone into hiding following the disastrous Diadem Rite, where they were transformed from humans into half-beasts. It’s their hope that they will survive the epic journey to the Ice Witch to be restored to humans again before they run out of time.

But they know the evil Summer Queen’s soldiers are tracking them and fear that she is hot on their (at times abnormally large and fluffy) tails…

With the help of goblins, ogres, trolls, and a few mermaids along the way, Ji and his band of unlikely heroes must save their world from being eternally divided.

Ross’s smart and fast-paced writing, paired with an addictive, suspenseful, and funny storyline, will leave readers hanging on every word. Fans will cheer for this endearing crew of servants, led by the amazing and dynamic Ji, who are changed forever and must fight for their freedom.

To survive, they’ll have to rely on each other and master their strange new powers.

• A Magical Transformation: Ji and his friends were once human servants. Now they’re half-beast fugitives—part dragon, hobgoblin, sprite, and troll—and running out of time to find a cure.
• Unlikely Heroes: A boot boy, a governess, a stable hand, and a weaver’s apprentice. This loyal crew must stick together to survive against impossible odds.
• Goblins, Ogres, and Trolls: To evade the Summer Queen, Ji’s crew must trust a wild cast of magical creatures, from grumpy ogres to mischievous goblins.
• A Fast-Paced Fantasy Adventure: Perfect for middle grade readers who love epic quests, witty humor, and suspenseful, page-turning action.

A solid fantasy adventure with several laugh-out-loud moments. - School Library Journal

Funny and clever, Beast & Crown has big, serious things to say about freedom and friendship. Joel Ross has created a wildly imaginative world and a plot full of unexpected twists and turns, not to mention plenty of witty banter. - Sarah Prineas, author of The Magic Thief series

Out-of-this world magic, laugh-out-loud humor, and a cast of lovable characters. - Sage Blackwood, author of JINX