The Oddmire, Book 2: The Unready Queen by William Ritter

Fable is half-human.  Her mother is working on teaching her magic, but she just can't quite get it.  She has a couple human friends and a goblin changeling friend.  She'd rather play with them...

Algonquin Young Readers and Edelweiss shared this book with me for review (thank you).  It will be published June 2nd.

There is a stranger in town who claims to be looking for oil.  When he chops down an old oak in the Deep Dark Forest.  Fable's mother is upset.  He has unbalanced the forest and the creatures within want revenge.  They never did like humans.  This is just a convenient excuse to get rid of some of them.

Fable finds out the real reason for the revolt.  He's digging up the graves of their ancestors.  He can see dollar signs in front of his eyes.  Using the powdery ash in an elixir can fix all kinds of ailments.  He's not going to walk away.  He's going to be rich!

He riles up the town folk until they are ready to help him kill the creatures of the Deep Forest.  Fable tries to stop them by telling them he was the one causing the mischief, not the creatures.  They ignore her.  Then her mother turns up.  He starts swallowing vials of the elixir and turns into a giant.

He begins choking Fable.  Her mother transforms into a bear and attacks him.  Someone in rhe crowd shoots her.  Fable is angry and sad and she starts using that magic she couldn't before...

This is a very active story line with lots of action.  There are all kinds of creatures, even rock trolls, and they all play a part in the story.  This is the second book I've read in this series and it's even better than the first.  If your child likes fantasy, they'll love this book!