This contemporary fantasy series will richly reward Holly Black and Maggie Stiefvater fans.
The Alice Brickstone series is suspenseful, fun, and thought-provoking. Inspired by Indian myth and the Harry Potter tradition, the books are gritty and realistic. That's why they're shelved under YA urban/contemporary fantasy, even though the setting is not urban. The stories are about anxious and lovable characters in the real world. They have complicated relationships and are always learning and growing. Alice and her friends are a strange combination of loners and athletes, have great chemistry despite their problems, and find a way to work together to overcome the dangers they face.
