Reviews

Praise for Chaηt and Crown

“[H]ard to put down…. A thoroughly engrossing saga…. Highly recommended for teen to new adult readers for its depth of psychological drama and entwined relationships.” 

—Midwest Book Review (D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer)

“McMakin presents a complex look at sibling relations that gradually unfolds as a dark fantasy thriller...satisfyingly nuanced characters...the otherworldly Chants and their minions are fantastic...a fine tale of royalty featuring tempestuous emotion and deep, dark magic.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Prince Ezrick and the Morpheäs Curse

2006 BuzzBook Award Winner

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA)

2007 Writer’s Digest

Honorable Mention Winner

(out of 2,400 entries worldwide)

SCBWI Western Washington

Scholarship Winner

(Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)

—TeensReadToo.com

“A fantastic fantasy adventure for children! Highly recommended!”

—USABookNews.com

“McMakin grabs her readers and pulls them into the page with her lively, action-filled plot and lyrical writing. This is a remarkable first novel from a remarkable writer. 

I haven’t been this engrossed in an author’s fantasy world since I read Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain series many years ago.”

—Carol Reed-Jones, author of Salmon Stream, 

The Tree in the Ancient Forest, and Hildegard of Bingen: Woman of Vision

“A fast-paced fantasy adventure with a dash of humor 

and plenty of plot twists to tickle a reader’s fancy.”

—Janet Lee Carey, author of Wenny Has Wings, Dragon's Keep, 

The Beast of Noor, and Dragonswood

“McMakin offers a fresh voice in the literary world of fantasy by introducing readers to an appealing adventure and engaging characters. She offers up the right blend of magic and fantastical scenarios with familiar elements to hook even the most reluctant fantasy reader.”

—Nancy J. Johnson, English Education Professor, Western Washington University, 

creator of the Children's Literature Conference, and Newbery Committee Member

“A rousing fantasy adventure, full of wonder and whimsy, 

sure to enthrall the young reader. Fast-paced and brimming with imaginative fun!”

—Sara Stamey, Tarragon Books publisher and author of the novel Islands

“A runaway prince joins a group of gypsy-like vagabonds 

and a lively adventure begins! McMakin weaves together themes of rebellion, friendship, loyalty, justice, and courage in this absorbing first novel.”

—Roxann Heffelfinger, Challenge teacher, Island View Elementary

“Prince Ezrick and the Morpheäs Curse is a delightful book — 

well written, with all the elements of a suspenseful, adventurous fantasy novel. 

A fun read!”

—Laura Picco, Village Books, Bellingham, WA

“One of my favorite books in the contest and I enjoyed reading all the way through... The story is creative, full of magic and adventure. The world, characters, 

and creatures McMakin has created are very fun and inventive. 

She has carefully crafted a wonderful fantasy that 

I think children will devour (and adults secretly enjoy)." 

—Writer’s Digest Judge

Prince Ezrick and the Morpheäs Curse has also been featured in:

Baker & Taylor’s “Books for Growing Minds”

PNBA’s Holiday Books: The Best of the Independent Northwest