Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key

by Erika Lewis, Bess Cozby (Editor)

Overview

The epic and action-packed conclusion to the Kelcie Murphy series, winner of the Sunshine Young Reader Awards.

Monsters Rise. Enemies Gather. The Never-ending War rages on.

Kelcie Murphy and her friends are determined to stop the war, once and for all. But with monsters attacking the Lands of Summer and Winter, peace seems more out of reach than ever.

And deep in the Abyss, an ancient evil, once thought defeated, is preparing an apocalyptic attack.

There is only one person who can stop him: his heir, Kelcie herself.

Also by Erika Lewis

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts

Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts

Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu

Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper's Key

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250208385
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Series:	The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts , #3
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	171,647
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.25(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Erika Lewis grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where she spent most of her childhood riding her dirt bike through Fort Ward, the Union Army Civil War stomping grounds. She graduated from Vanderbilt University and went on to earn a master’s degree from Georgia State University and an advanced certificate in creative writing from Stony Brook University. The author of Game of Shadows, The Color of Dragons, Firebrand and more, The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts was her middle grade debut.

Editorial Reviews

The Kelcie Murphy series is tons of fun, packed full of heart-stopping adventure and epic battles. Readers are sure to love it!” – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn: Twelve and the Frozen Forest

Praise for Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu:

“The author keeps [Kelcie's] tale rolling with hard-fought battles and breathless escapades plus a crowd-pleasing array of foes . . . An engaging medley of new relationships and hot battlefield action.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This fresh take on the magical-school trope brings heightened stakes and compelling friendships to the page.” —Booklist

“…like book one, Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu is an action-packed mythology-filled, coming-of-age heartfelt read. Erika Lewis did a perfect job transitioning into the adventure and drama from book one into book two of Kelcie’s page-turning epic saga.” —E Train

Praise for Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts:

“Be prepared, it will be hard to take a break from Erika Lewis’s The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. The action leaps off the page, rich in ancient Celtic mythology and taut with emotion, with characters who are flawed, human, and awesomely gifted. Middle-grade readers with a thirst for high adventure with all the feels, in the tradition of J. K. Rowling, Tamora Pierce, and Lloyd Alexander, have reason to rejoice.” —Peter Lerangis, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Wonders series

“Lewis brings a fresh take on these tropes, incorporating Celtic mythology and lore to craft an—quite literally—Otherworldly hero who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals and who also embodies a relatable persona that readers will undoubtedly connect with.” —Booklist, starred review

“You’ll be on the edge of your seat while reading, and while waiting for more to come in this rich and engaging world. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and the Harry Potter series.” —Janet Fox, award-winning author of The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle

“Fast-paced and oh-so-fun, this exciting story celebrates the importance of friendship and the power of kids’ choices. I couldn’t put it down!” —Alyssa Colman, author of The Gilded Girl

“With vivid world-building and a marvelous blend of mythology and magic, Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a rip-roaring ride pulsing with the heart of its fierce and tenacious heroine! The opening installment of this epic new fantasy series will leave readers clamoring for more.” —Alysa Wishingrad, author of The Verdigris Pawn

“Move over Hogwarts, there’s a spellbinding new school in town. Enroll yourself for myth, mystery and magic. Not to be missed!”—Cavan Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The Rising Storm

“...Successfully centers a resilient heroine tapping into her unrealized potential.” —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2024-07-04
Freed at last, evil King Balor makes his move against the long-divided Lands of Summer and Winter in this climactic Celtic-inspired series closer.

Readers may well wonder how the two fiannas, or bands of student warriors—led by light-skinned Kelcie on the Summer side and by “ruddy brown” Lexis on Winter’s—are ever going to overcome Balor. As fiendishly powerful and clever as he is, Balor spends most of this story forcing or tricking them into doing his bidding while sending monsters out on successful diversionary attacks. Still, the young folk have a hard-won ability to work together as well as the advantage of being on the side of right. And so, along with rescuing one another from his onslaughts of kelpies, spider-trow, fire foxes, bane bats, and other terrors, they’re able at last to find a way to close the Abyss separating the Lands and bring the Never-Ending War to a decisive close. Despite plenty of fighting, Kelcie suffers few personally meaningful losses. By the end, Kelcie, who’s at the head of a sprawling fantasy cast of diverse species, not only renews relationships with both of her immortal parents but at last exchanges a sweet kiss with her royal anam cara (“soul friend”), Niall, wrapping events up in a way that will satisfy returning fans.

A tidy resolution for a derivative but adventuresome trilogy. (glossary)(Fantasy. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews