DRIFT AND DAGGER by Kendall Kulper \\ I want more!

Review by Leydy

DRIFT AND DAGGAR
by Kendall Kulper
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 8, 2015)
Language: English
Goodreads | Amazon

In Mal's world, magic is everything. But Mal is a "blank," the anti-magic. Blanks can't be hexed or cursed or saved or killed by magic. And everyone is afraid of them--even Mal himself.

So Mal hides what he is--except from Essie Roe, a witch and his best friend. On the day Essie reveals his secret and casts him out from the only home he's ever known, Mal experiences the true shock of betrayal.

Now Mal travels the world in search of rare, illegal magical relics. When his partner in crime, Boone, hears rumors of a legendary dagger that can steal a witch's power, Mal knows he's finally found his means of revenge. But as the chase for the fabled knife takes them from Boston to Paris to Constantinople, Mal realizes there are secrets afoot that he's only beginning to understand--and all the while the blank monster inside him threatens to escape. 

There is something special about Kendall’s writing that draws me in from the very beginning of her stories. Twice I’ve been entranced. Twice I was left with a hunger for more. 

Drift & Dagger’s world is so brilliantly constructed and well described that it makes me think I am part of it. Or that I’m watching an epic movie. I am dead serious, I love her writing.

This story takes you to world filled with magic. A place in which magic is so common that if you do not possess any sort you are consider an outcast. A place in which people will judge and belittle you. Unlike everyone in his world, Mal is a “blank”. He is immune to magic and is considered a monster, a devil, a disease… you get the point. Being consider this, Mal’s only friend is the daughter of a Roe’s witch. Essie doesn’t judge him and keeps his identity in secret. Until one day she betray and exposes him. 

Now friendless, Mal is forced to leave the only place he called home but takes a quest of revenge. During this new adventure of his, Mal learns about a magic dagger. This dagger steals magic and boy, there is a great twist. However, Mal is consumed with revenge. Essie destroyed him and he wants her to suffer. But he soon learns something that will turn his world upside down. Well, more than what it is! Jeez, this guy doesn’t get any break!

I really enjoyed Drift & Dagger. Even though the story is not left with cliffhanger, I wish I could get more. I really do want more! 

As a fan of Kendall, I hope everyone reads Drift & Dagger! Especially lovers of Paranormal. 

Peace, Love + Twilight,

Leydy Baltodano

Admin, Once Upon a Twilight 

Reviewer, ReadingTeen