The Carrefour Curse by Dianne K. Salerni

This is one of the best middle grade books I have read in a while. I like middle grade fantasy, but middle grade fantasy mixed with a bit of horror may be my new favorite genre and this book hits all the marks.

Garnet has never known her family besides her mother, Emerald. She does know that they are magical and that her mother left and never looked back. When they are summoned to Crossroads House because the patriarch of the family, Jasper Carrefour, is dying, Emerald does everything she can to keep the summons from compelling them to go.

Garnet, however, sabotages the protection spells and the story begins with a race to Crossroads House with Garnet throwing up frogs, a strange affect of the summons or the sabotage or both.

The Carrefour clan is an eclectic mix of characters, with the creepy, energy-stealing, Jasper at the head. Garnet soon learns that Jasper has been extending his life by taking life force from others whether they are willing or not. It is against this backdrop that we learn of the prophecy that something bad will happen to Garnet, which is why her mother left.

“Accidents” begin to happen all around them and Garnet wonders if Jasper or the house is to blame.

I loved being immersed in this story and didn’t want it to end. This is one of those books where a sequel would be welcome, not needed for the story, but because I want to spend more time with the characters. Excellent book!

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