Black Maria

The way magic works feels so imaginative and unique—I'm curious whether the author built the story around a particular idea or let it develop naturally during writing.

Her growth felt very authentic, but I wonder if others saw her as more of a reluctant hero or someone truly embracing her powers from the start.

The book has a playful tone, but there are also some serious themes. I’d love to know how the tone was crafted to keep it engaging for middle-grade readers.