The Carrefour Curse

The Carrefour Curse

Dianne Salerni

Holiday House, 2023

224 pages

Grades 3-6

Fantasy/Mystery

As our story opens, protagonist, twelve-year-old Garnet is vomiting frogs. Magic is propelling herself and her single mom back to Crossroads House, her estranged extended family's manor. Mom took Garnet away as a baby to keep her from the evil that lurks at the core of the family magic and to avoid a mysterious prophesy. Now compelled to return, the family patriarch, an elderly great-grandfather on borrowed time, is about to die and ready to proclaim an heir, which means that all of the blood kin must be present. Garnet is thrilled to finally meet her family and instantly makes friends with her cousins and a long-lost uncle. Unfortunately, a death in the family happens right away, leaving many family members suspicious. Is Jasper, the patriarch, siphoning energy from unsuspecting family members (as well as other sources) to keep himself alive? Further complicating matters is the arrive of a surprise relation and a magical power that Garnet did not know she possessed beyond her work with stones and jewels. This new power places Garnet in the unique position to undo a long-ago wrong and to help get the family on the proper footing. Does she have what it takes? And once everything is said and done, who will be the new heir?

I really liked this book a lot. It was magical, creepy, and offered a great mystery, all within the framework of a well-written novel. Salerni crafts an interesting premise with distinctive characters, who I had no trouble telling apart even though there are a lot of them. The family branches' magic all feature different elements (fire/rocks/weather/trees and plants) from nature, which I liked. It was nice that Garnet finally finds a family and even though they are a bit dysfunction, at the core they are a loving team--maybe with the exception of crazy old Jasper. Garnet must dig deep into her powers and find the courage to save the day, as well as doing the ethical thing when the occasions arise. The cousins exhibit teamwork and pitch in together to keep everyone safe. There are mysteries concerning where Jasper's magic is coming from, the identity of a long-ago missing girl, and what is happening with Garnet's new power. The story runs a bit (but not too much) dark and eerie, which I loved and for which many kids are clambering. I was very happy that the heir was named at book's end and the author did not make us wait for another installment. I was also very happy at her choice of heir. All in all, this is a tightly written and satisfying story that is sure to be enjoyed by young readers.