Twelve-year-old Rowan is a princess destined for political life on the throne, despite being better suited to the role of monster hunter. Hers is an Arthurian world where several brown-skinned clans are united under the protection of Rowan's mother, the queen. It's also a world populated by a menagerie of fantastical beasts, the most fearsome being the gryphon. After a clash with this terrible monster esomely rendered in savage glory agedy befalls Rowan's family. Suddenly, she's next in line to be the royal monster hunter, but first she must go forth on a quest to slay the rogue gryphon. All of Armstrong's choices are made in service of absorbing entertainment, to great success. She avoids the archaic in favor of modern language that kids will appreciate, and while the combat sometimes comes off as slightly cartoonish, she doesn't shy away from violence. Blood flies and bones crunch, though humane treatment of animals is promoted. This is an action-stuffed, perfectly paced adventure that introduces a world to which thrill-seeking readers will be ravenous to return. Happily, sequels will follow.

A young princess would rather hunt monsters than sit on a throne but soon finds that she has a lot to learn if she is going to save her kingdom.In each generation of Tamerel's royal clan, the firstborn inherits the throne to become monarch and the secondborn inherits the sword to become royal monster hunter. Twelve-year-old Rowan will be queen, and her twin brother, Rhydd, will wield the sword. There's only one problem—each of them is far better suited to the other's role. Despite her natural monster-hunting gifts, Rowan is resigned to be the best queen she can, though that doesn't stop her from learning all she can about monsters and following her brother on hunts. But when tragedy strikes the family, royal roles are thrown out the window, and with the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, Rowan must hunt down one of the deadliest monsters of all or lose everything. Longtime master of YA thrills Armstrong (Aftermath, 2018, etc.) now brings her talent for frissons, drama, and dark humor to middle-grade fantasy. The primary plot is driven by equal parts hunt-or-be-hunted action, character motivations, and unexpected emotional depth. And in the background simmers political intrigue, personal ambition, and looming upheaval bound to spill over into the sequel. Rowan and Rhydd are children of color, and the world they inhabit is an inclusive one. An illustrated monster field guide appears in the backmatter.A rousing romp for monster hunters and monster lovers alike. (Fantasy. 9-12)

As the oldest child, Rowan, 12, has always known she-d be Queen, but she envies her twin brother, Rhydd, who is in line to become Royal Monster Hunter (but would make a better consort). Nevertheless, she spends her time learning about myriad creatures. However, after their Aunt Jannah is slain in a gryphon attack, just as their father was, and Rhydd is badly injured, Rowan must step into the role she-s always dreamed of fulfilling. Accompanied by a jackalope and an enormous wolf, Rowan sets out to find the person who can help train her for the monumental task ahead: to fight and slay the gryphon. As she forges unlikely friendships and alliances, she develops a growing understanding of her weighty responsibility to her people while seeking to understand and respect the monsters she hunts, doing as little harm as possible. Weaving in themes of family, duty, and conservation, YA author Armstrong (the Darkness Rising trilogy) offers a gripping middle grade debut in an imaginative fantasy world populated by fascinating creatures. Readers will hope that there is more planned for Rowan and her growing entourage of monsters and misfits. A monster field guide concludes. Ages 10-14. (Aug.)