Kirkus Review

In this debut middle-grade fantasy, a girl must protect her newborn twin siblings from evil forces.

Twelve-year-old Makenna Grace Gold of the Los Angeles area can’t wait for school tomorrow. She’s trying to fall asleep but is excited about the Science Fair, where she’ll present homemade sugar crystals. Just as Makenna drifts off, a trio of fairies appears in her bedroom: cousins Bree and Dee Delphine and “Marigold Frith, Fairy Prelate.” They’ve come to initiate Makenna as The Virago, Warrior of Warriors. From braids of light and hope, they summon the Ancient Weapon, which looks like a sword as it bonds with Makenna. The girl wakes, assuming that she’s dreaming, and the fairies explain that her new brother and sister will be born tomorrow. They are hope incarnate, and Makenna must protect them against villainous forces, namely Sir Seaton, war profiteer and head of Natasi Industries. He sends his beautiful but deadly associates, Ms. Chevious and Ms. Creante, from their London headquarters to collect the twins. Luckily, Makenna can focus the power of the Ancient Weapon as she chooses, and she does so through her new lowrider skateboard. In his novel, Bialys introduces a spunky protagonist who’s fun to root for as she deals with rival classmate (and skating champ) Heather Stern; the twins’ creepy nanny, Ms. Revel; and, later, reptilian demons. Aside from the fairies, Makenna gets help from Fluffy, a talking worm, and Stephen Levine, a dreamy Canadian transfer student. The author reveals that some characters aren’t who they initially appear to be, which should keep middle-grade audiences alert. He also educates as he connects the Virago legacy to King Arthur, the monarch’s sword Excalibur, and the story of David, who felled Goliath with a slingshot. The notion that children can change the world by channeling their passion through an object has broad appeal in reality and further potential as a narrative device. The finale featuring an actual Highway to Hell should amuse anyone who’s driven in Los Angeles. The overall likability of this series opener should secure readership for the sequel.

This zany adventure flaunts a heart of gold and a plucky heroine. ( )

I love this book and will definitely read this to my children. I can't wait for the next in the series. I bet the Virago will have even bigger adventures. This should be made into a movie. It's great!! ( )

Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com

Makenna Gold is a normal, average twelve-year-old girl living in Southern California. So why on earth would fairies appear in her room in the middle of the night, with flaming swords no less? Well, it turns out that Makenna has been chosen as the Protector, the Defender, the Warrior of Warriors, the Virago. Her brand new twin brother and sister are a gift of pure Goodness to the world, and it is now Makenna's job to protect them from the pure Evil.

Unfortunately, no one can tell her exactly who or what it is that she should be looking out for. Pure Evil has friends everywhere, but so does Goodness, and none of them wear name tags or signs. Between helping with the babies, protecting them, trying to at least appear to be a normal kid, and figuring out who is an enemy and who is a friend, Makenna more than has her hands full.

While the flow of the book is somewhat stilted at times, it also has some pretty funny moments. Evil's minions are Miss Creante and Miss Chevious, for example. Parts of it were particularly fun for me because it takes place right by where I live. And, I can say with certainty that anyone who has ever driven around here wouldn't be remotely surprised at the location of the Highway to Hell.

It may be a little rough going to begin with, but once the story/author hits their stride, the book is off and running. It's a quick and entertaining read, and looks to be a fun series. ( )