​Book Title: THE INVASION (Book Three The After series) by J. Taylor
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  July 2025
Content Rating: PG. 

 

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About the Book

With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.
Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits. 
​
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.

 

The Invasion Takes Readers on the Next Step of this Dystopian Adventure. The author has created a fantastic character team that has grown along with the growing challenges and adventures faced in the series. The book is fast-paced and engaging from beginning to end. The pace keeps the story moving, preventing younger readers from getting bored, but it is well developed and interesting enough that the scenes are not too abrupt to engage older teens and adult readers. I love the author's writing style. She can develop scenes clearly and quickly without taking anything away from the story or its characters. 

Expect a Clean Read. This series takes on some serious dystopian challenges--but the author offers a clean read that your tweens and younger teens can read without worrying about the content themes. The characters certainly face challenges and situations that tug the heartstrings. Still, they are also handled well and in a G/PG writing style that makes the story more heartpounding and heartwarming than the shock-value content of some teen dystopian pieces.

Would I Recommend The Invasion by J. Taylor? I loved this series, but this book was my favorite so far. I have enjoyed watching the characters grow and find their paths. I recommend reading the series in order to better understand the characters' situations and the background of their growing bond. The novel is fast-paced and engaging, with action-packed scenes that are perfect for younger teen readers, but still detailed enough to hold the interest of older readers. If you enjoy middle-grade dystopian fiction with strong characters and an engaging, clean storyline, this series is an easy one to pick up and enjoy from the first pages. This book doesn't tie up all the loose ends, so you can be sure that I will be watching for more books in the series!

 Meet the Author 

J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories. 

Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Survival Continues the Dystopian Adventure. The author does an excellent job pulling readers into the next step of her characters' adventures. Various obstacles and challenges to survival test the girls, and the author presents these challenges in a way that is easy to read and engaging for middle-school readers. The emotions are well-portrayed, and the strength of character and the bond of friendship form the heart of the story. The author tackles the realities of survival along with some of the relatable realities of growing up and relationships. 

Expect a Clean Read. I often find tween/teen dystopian novels jump too quickly into romance and violence--but, the author here offers a clean read that your tweens and younger teens can read without worrying about the content themes. The girls face obstacles to survival (and challenges to their relationship)--and a love interest--but the nature of the story remains clean and a family-friendly read.

Would I Recommend Survival by J. Taylor? I enjoyed this novel. While you could read this book alone, I would recommend reading the first book in the series to help better understand the characters' situations and the background of their bond. The novel is fast-paced and engaging, with action-packed scenes. This pace makes some of the scenes play out rather quickly, but the style and flow of the book are perfect for younger teen readers. If you enjoy middle grade dystopian fiction with strong characters and an engaging, clean storyline, this series in an easy one to pick up and enjoy from the first pages.

​Book Title: THE INVASION (Book Three The After series) by J. Taylor
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  July 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, the two teenage characters do kiss​

About the Book

With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.

Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits. 
​
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.

Buy the Book
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo
add to Goodreads

 

 Meet the Author 

J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories. 

Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

This morning, I have a middle grade fiction book to share! Check out A Curse of Mayhem, read my thoughts on the book and learn about author Sunayna Prasad!  You can also visit this book series spotlight post to learn more about the other books in the series.

Book Title:  A Curse of Mayhem (Alyssa McCarthy's Magical Missions, Book 2) by Sunayna Prasad
Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction (Ages 8-12),  173 pages
Genre:  Fantasy
Publisher:  Amazon KDP
Release date:   July 2019
Format available for review:  ebook (mobi (for Kindle), EPUB, PDF)
Will send print books out:  USA
Tour dates: June 10 to Jun 28, 2024
Content Rating:  G: There is no mature language or adult content whatsoever.

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About the Book

History, like magic, has a habit of repeating itself.

It’s been six months since thirteen-year-old Alyssa McCarthy left magic behind for good. Or so she thought…

Then the enchanted objects that protected her disappear. Now a skeleton named Errol has cursed her with magical powers that keep getting her in trouble. Suddenly strange things are happening with disastrous effects, and if Alyssa can’t remove the magic, she will lose everything she holds dear. In order to get rid of her unwanted wizardry, Alyssa will have to boost her bravery and confidence and determine who Errol really is. But every time Alyssa uses an enchantment, Errol is one step closer to getting his flesh back and becoming alive, and he will do anything to achieve his goals…even if it means destroying Alyssa’s happiness.

Originally published in 2016 as “Wizardry Goes Wild” and “The Unruly Curse” in 2019, “A Curse of Mayhem” is book two in the exciting and suspenseful “Magical Missions” series.

My Review

A Curse of Mayhem is Written for Middle School Readers. If you read the first book in the series, the writing style, character dialogues, and behaviors are very similar to those in this book. If you didn't read the first book in the series, there are some slight attempts to help new series readers catch up, but the book can still be read as a stand-alone without missing much detail from the first book. The dialogue and characters are immature and may not be very relatable for older teens or adult parent readers. However, the novel is written for middle school ages, and younger readers, ages 8-11 or so, will likely find the magic more entertaining and the dialogue and middle school dramas more relatable.  

  

Don't Expect Much Realism in A Curse of Mayhem.  The story is fast-paced, with many character introductions, fast-paced dialogue, and little time for character growth and development. While the storyline is interesting and engaging, and the author does create an updated magical adventure more suited to today's tech-driven tweens, there are many scenes that adults and older teens will find pretty unrealistic. Having said that, there are many tween, middle school-aged behaviors and learning opportunities for younger readers in this series as they face their differences from middle school peers and learn to find their place in groups of friends and adults.

Would I recommend A Curse of Mayhem? This is a fun, magical story for older elementary-aged readers and younger middle-school children. Alyssa McCarthy is still a bit immature, but she accomplishes a little bit of growth and self-discovery in this book. Parents and older teens who enjoy reading along with younger readers will not find a realistically deep, thought-provoking fantasy, but younger readers should relate well to Alyssa and her middle school dramas.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo
Add to Goodreads