Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu - (Academy for the Unbreakable Arts) by Erika Lewis

About the Book

While at The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts, Kelcie receives a warning from her goddess mother that The Heart of Danu, the legendary source of all light and warmth, will be stolen, so Kelcie and her friends set off to prevent their world from falling into darkness.

Book Synopsis

Kelcie Murphy is back in another action-packed middle grade adventure, Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu, the second book in Erika Lewis's magical series infused with Celtic mythology, The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts.

It's hard having a father who's an infamous traitor. It's even harder having a mother who's an omen of doom.

After a summer away, Kelcie Murphy is excited to be back at the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. But she and her friends have barely settled in when they receive a visit from her mother--the war goddess, Nemain--with a warning of coming calamity.

The Heart of Danu, the legendary source of all light and warmth in the Lands of Summer, is going to be stolen. And only Kelcie and her mates can stop it. As they travel with the rest of the students to Summer City to take part in the glorious Ascension Ceremony, Kelcie has no time for the military parade, the lavish ball, or even to visit her father: she's determined to protect the Heart and her new home.

But the Lands of Summer are still not a welcoming place for Kelcie. When disaster strikes, the Queen, the High Guard, and even some of her schoolmates suspect Kelcie is to blame.

As the world is plunged into darkness, Kelcie will have to decide: does she keep fighting for a place that may always see her as a traitor's daughter, or for a future greater than the war to come.

Also by Erika Lewis

The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu

Other Works
Game of Shadows

Review Quotes

A Sunshine State Young Readers Award Selection and a Children's Book Council Teacher's Favorite Pick!

Praise for Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu:

"The author keeps [Kelcie's] tale rolling with hard-fought battles and breathless escapades plus a crowd-pleasing array of foes . . . An engaging medley of new relationships and hot battlefield action." --Kirkus Reviews

"This fresh take on the magical-school trope brings heightened stakes and compelling friendships to the page." --Booklist

"...like book one, Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu is an action-packed mythology-filled, coming-of-age heartfelt read. Erika Lewis did a perfect job transitioning into the adventure and drama from book one into book two of Kelcie's page-turning epic saga." --E Train

Praise for Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts:

"Be prepared, it will be hard to take a break from Erika Lewis's The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. The action leaps off the page, rich in ancient Celtic mythology and taut with emotion, with characters who are flawed, human, and awesomely gifted. Middle-grade readers with a thirst for high adventure with all the feels, in the tradition of J. K. Rowling, Tamora Pierce, and Lloyd Alexander, have reason to rejoice." --Peter Lerangis, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Wonders series

"Lewis brings a fresh take on these tropes, incorporating Celtic mythology and lore to craft an--quite literally--Otherworldly hero who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals and who also embodies a relatable persona that readers will undoubtedly connect with." --Booklist, starred review

"You'll be on the edge of your seat while reading, and while waiting for more to come in this rich and engaging world. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and the Harry Potter series." --Janet Fox, award-winning author of The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle

"Fast-paced and oh-so-fun, this exciting story celebrates the importance of friendship and the power of kids' choices. I couldn't put it down!" --Alyssa Colman, author of The Gilded Girl

"With vivid world-building and a marvelous blend of mythology and magic, Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a rip-roaring ride pulsing with the heart of its fierce and tenacious heroine! The opening installment of this epic new fantasy series will leave readers clamoring for more." --Alysa Wishingrad, author of The Verdigris Pawn

"Move over Hogwarts, there's a spellbinding new school in town. Enroll yourself for myth, mystery and magic. Not to be missed!"--Cavan Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The Rising Storm

"...Successfully centers a resilient heroine tapping into her unrealized potential." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Erika Lewis grew up in Virginia, where she spent most of her childhood riding her dirt bike through Fort Ward. She resides in the sunshine state of California. When she's not at her laptop, she's usually playing with her big fluffy golden retriever, running, or at one of the bookstores or comic shops by her house. And always drinking coffee. Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is her middle-grade debut.