Witches Garden: Dragon Moon by Laurel Lorenzini is a tale of magic and family. The story follows a group of witches, plant hybrids, and other fantasy beings as they work together to save Miriam, a mother who has been lost for fifteen years and has a mysterious illness. The narrative is filled with imaginative details, from enchanted forests to rare spell ingredients, creating a vivid world. The relationships between the characters drive the emotional core of the book. Flo’s unexpected romance with Grigor is a delightful subplot that adds warmth and humor. The enchanting locations make the plot more dynamic, while reinforcing the book’s themes.

The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of high tension and danger mixed with lighter, humorous scenes. The quest for rare spell ingredients, including elderberry root and a Palawan peacock feather, keeps readers engaged, while the interactions between the characters provide balance. Laurel Lorenzini’s writing makes the fantasy elements grounded. Themes of love and forgiveness remind young readers of the importance of community and hope when faced with troubled times. While the book is brimming with charm, younger readers may find the many characters and subplots slightly overwhelming. However, Lorenzini ties everything together neatly by the end, leaving no loose threads. Witches Garden: Dragon Moon is a heartwarming and imaginative adventure that showcases the power of love and teamwork. It’s an ideal read for fans of magical realism and family-centered stories with happy endings. With its enchanting world and memorable characters, it’s a story that older children will enjoy.

Author Laurel Lorenzini's Witches Garden: Dragon Moon concludes the tale of Miriam and her recovery from her mysterious disease. This book follows Mags and her sister Flo as they set out to find a cure for Miriam's sickness, with some help from Miriam's seventeen-year-old daughter, Bo, and their friends, Skylar and Fern. After rescuing her daughter from the gray city, Mags must find a way to nurse Miriam back to health. To make the healing potion, Dr. Twilo needs supplies before the Dragon Moon. Mags sends Bo, Skylar, Flo, and Fern on their separate ways to bring the necessary supplies. Along the way, Fern makes amends with his family, while the rest have their own challenges to overcome. Can they reverse the dark spell put on Miriam?

Witches Garden: Dragon Moon is a fitting end to a magical adventure trilogy. I loved how author Laurel Lorenzini ties up all the plot threads in this book. The character development is stellar, with each of the story arcs concluding satisfyingly. This book is sure to bring a lot of joy to young readers. Whether it's the magical adventures, the hybrid human characters, or the cute kittens, there's so much to like about this story. Lorenzini shines in assigning diverse personality traits to each of her major characters, and the characters in this story are no exception. It also feels like Bo's coming-of-age story. The artwork is top-notch. Illustrator Gabriel San Martin does a wonderful job of capturing the moods and personalities of the characters. Young adventure fans are going to have plenty of fun with this book!