I received a complimentary digital and temporary audiobook copy of "The Marvelwood Magicians" direct from the publisher Live Oak Media via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.

Being a Middle Grade novel, I knew there would be some cleverly disguised life lessons threading into the background. I was happily surprised though to see how Zahler wanted to offer two different perspectives on a travelling life of artistes - wherein Selena and Mattie both were envious of their lives - from how Selena lived a more normal life with school and a permanent house where her family went home as a 'base' vs the travelling life Mattie had with her family. It showed how sometimes when you appear to have 'it all' sometimes you're missing something someone else has themselves.

When it came to 'seeing' The Marvelwood's act for the first time - wow, was I impressed! Each of the Marvelwood's have such an individually distinct talent - Zahler does well in giving her readers such a wondrous of JOY in reading about this circus and the magical family at the centre of it! It brought back wicked wonderful memories of my own childhood attending the circus and being lost in the magic of the events and shows therein. There is something about a circus - about the unexpected and the impossible merging together to create this 'othersphere' of action and intrigue which captivates you into this world of where everything seems a bit larger than life and you can't help but feel pulled into that environment. Zahler pulls you into this world as soon as you begin listening to the story but she dazzles you further by how she showcases the circus and the acts involved.

Zahler remained true to how she set the foundation of the story - she let her young heroes and heroines take the lead when it came time to formulating a plan of action but she also encouraged younger readers to beware of the smaller details. To take stock and notice revelations which at the time they were being shared might not paint the picture for everyone but it would give a lot of clues towards where she was wanting us to seek out the answers for everything that was happening at the Monroe circus. She was encouraging younger readers to question and become inquisitive about things they had both overheard or observed - to seek their own answers and to contemplate the fuller conclusions she was guiding them towards accepting.

There is a wonderful act of sacrifice (not a violent one, to say more is to spoil it but its a self-sacrifice) whilst there is also a gesture of conspiracy to save the greater good by the acts of the few. This is a plot I can always stand behind because sometimes it does take a small army of courageous persons to overturn adverse circumstances and situations. It is here where there is a bit of a division of sorts - between the adult and children characters, where they are each choosing to act in different ways but sorting out a way to bridge those actions into a conclusion that would benefit everyone. Again, trying not to get spoilery here!

The most heartwarming part of the story for me involved Ahmod and his tigers; as he was the tiger's keeper and they had all journeyed so far from home! He hadn't even seen his own family in more years than what were warranted. But its the fate and plight of his beloved tigers which was the most gutting to me. There is a bit of wildlife conservation and preservation peppered into the background as well as a lighter spin on the conversation about animal acts in circuses - which I felt was well-presented especially for the younger readers of this story. It is a conversation worth having with children - to help them understand the cycle of life as much as the reasons why we need to do no further harm to wildlife and be kinder on our footprints on the world.

For me, the greater theme appeared at the ending - the sense of restoration and redemption. It is best seen through Mattie's Mum and Da - of how their own story is threaded into Mattie's and how as a family there is a lot of personal growth happening outside the context of the suspense and the main story's central arc. By the time I reached the conclusion, I admit, I wasn't ready to say 'goodbye' as this had become an #unputdownable read of mine this #WyrdAndWonder! I wanted to hug the book not depart the lives of the Marvelwood's! It is so sombering to let yourself detach from characters you've become so attached too - which is why I was hoping this might become either a series and/or a duology. Where there could be another installment featuring this family and the rest of the characters who became dear friends on this journey with us!?

About the narrator Sarah Zimmerman:

I liked her vocal range and the depth she adds into her narration as a narrator. You truly feel as if both the world behind the characters and the story itself were lit alive by how she approached narrating the book. It is a pleasure of joy to find such a narrator and I love to follow a narrator's career once I find one I enjoy hearing such as Ms Zimmerman. I wasn't sure if this was the first novel in a series - if it were, I hope she'll continue to give voice to the characters and the installments of the series therein.

For me, what truly anchoured me into this story was her sensibility when it came time to choosing different accents for the characters. The adult character I loved listening to was Da - Mattie, Tibby and Bell's father. He had such a kind spirit in his voice and even though I'm not a fan of villain's, I must admit Master Monroe was executed brilliantly! She gave a performance as if this was an eclectically cast stage production - with multiple voice actors all taking their cues and entering/exiting through the scenes. Even the tigers (wish I could spell their names!) were delightful - not that they were voiced but it was how she implied their thoughts and captured our hearts as we heard about their plight in the story. I could not love this story more -- I can only hope my words did it justice and INSPIRED others to seek this lovely out for themselves!!

// This is a quotation of my full review originally shared via jorielovesastory.com

A pleasant listen, featuring a sweet main character who so badly wants a home, stability and a friend. Mattie can read minds and her family all has special talents too. They're always on the move and join up with a traveling circus and shenanigans and some chaos ensue!

It's a sweet story to listen to with kids and the ending was very gratifying. I appreciate the full circle moment with Mom and how the book touched upon sensitivity around the word "gypsy" in an authentic way.

The only part I didn't care for was how the tiger story resolved. No spoilers, but I will note, if you're sensitive like me, that they don't get hurt. I just wanted something different for them!

Thank you, Netgalley.