Title & Author: Delilah Dusticle and the Cursed Tempest (Vol 3), A. J. York
Genre & Publication Date: Middle Grade Fantasy, May 12, 2016
Book Description: “In this exciting instalment, Delilah Dusticle and the Dustbusters travel to the vibrant and mystical land of India. On arrival, they are tasked with a quest to overcome a powerful curse and save a life. It soon becomes clear that it is Delilah, who must find the strength and the power to defeat the curse. This is the third in a series of stories following Delilah and the Dustbusters on adventures around the world. Fully illustrated and packed with adventure!”
First Line: Dev wiped the sweat from his forehead and gasped at the hot, soupy air.
My Take: This book was provided to me by the author for review.
I’ve been a fan of the Delilah Dusticle series from the beginning and this installment is no exception. (Read my reviews of the earlier books here) Fun, light-hearted, and engaging, I always find myself smiling down at my Kindle as I dig in to another of Delilah’s adventures.
This time, Delilah and her team are on a trip to India. The author described the sights, sounds, and smells of the country in great detail. If she hasn’t been there herself, it’s clear that she has a great team of betas checking her work for authenticity (cue enormous applause!). Delilah is on a mission to save a girl but old enemies lurk about, new dangers threaten her mission, and time is running out. As usual, this was an exciting read.
But alongside the action is a poignant message about processing grief that is delivered with beautiful care and empathy. I always love this about the Delilah Dusticle stories: they are a lot of fun, incredibly creative, and told with straight forward language that kids (and adults) can access and absorb–however they also include a deeper meaning beyond the antics, something that sticks with the reader long after they close the book. Perhaps I enjoy this part of York’s writing most of all (well, the magical powers run a close second).
The Magical: Loved the setting! The Fantasy genre seems to take place in Western European settings usually. It’s fun to read a middle grade story that heads east. Delilah’s dust powers are growing and developing in amazing ways too. Super imaginative!
The Mundane: It’s been a little while since I read the last books so it took me a minute to remember all the characters, their quirks, and their relationships to each other. That being said, I adore the supporting cast of characters to the lovable Delilah.
Summary of Thoughts: Currently this book is $2.99 for the Kindle. A sweet story with a courageous protagonist! I’m a big fan of this series (and its artwork) and can’t wait for the next story. I highly recommend it for kids and adults alike.
Many thanks to author A. J. York for providing a copy of the book for review!
Curious what others thought? Check out Amazon’s reviews here
**GIVEAWAY NOTICE!!** The author is currently running a Goodreads Giveaway for all three Delilah Dusticle books until August 17th. Don’t miss your chance to get a copy of these wonderful stories!
A. J. York has previously been interviewed on Amid the Imaginary. Check it out here!
Want to know more about the author and her work? Explore her website here
Author of speculative fiction 