Recent Reads: The Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Isle of Ever by Jen Calonita 
Series: Isle of Ever #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers
Publication Date:  March 25, 2025

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

Bestselling and beloved author Jen Calonita delivers the first in a brand new series featuring a girl who will inherit a mysterious fortune if she can break a centuries-old curse!

Days after her twelfth birthday, Everly "Benny" Benedict learns she's the heir to a fortune! But to collect the inheritance, she first has to play—and win—a game. Following clues that her ancestor left, Benny must locate a small island that vanished long ago, according to legend.

She has only two weeks to play the game and find the island. If she's successful, she'll break a two-hundred-year-old curse. If she fails, the fortune will be forfeited. And if she's not careful, she'll cross paths with someone else who is after the island's secrets, and who will stop at nothing to get them. Because, as it turns out, there's far more than a fortune at stake.

Review: 

AH! I need the next book IMMEDIATELY!

I love Jen Calonita and her middle grade fantasy series. She does a great job with her plotlines and the characters are fun, often underdogs that you can really resonate with as a reader. 

Things were no different with this series start - I absolutely loved The Isle of Ever! It is a beautifully built middle-grade adventure full of heart, mystery, and just the right touch of magic. The story immediately pulls you in with an island that isn't supposed to be there... and a pirate along with it. From there you are bounced to the modern day and Benny. 

Everly “Benny” Benedict is a practical and hardworking twelve-year-old who unexpectedly finds herself at the center of a mystery and possible fortune. Although a fortune is at stake, Benny is deeply engaged with the story her very great grandmother has passed down, and that emotional connection gives the book a wonderful depth beyond just the action and clues.

One of my favorite things was how the past and present wove together through journal entries and letters. It was so satisfying to see Benny decipher her ancestor’s messages, and readers will love following the breadcrumbs alongside her.

The pacing is brisk but never rushed, keeping the story engaging from start to finish. Even as an adult reader who picked up on most of the twists early, I found the reveals satisfying and well-executed. There’s a great balance between action, emotion, and puzzle-solving, and the stakes are high enough to keep the tension alive without ever feeling too dark for a middle-grade audience. 

That said, I did find myself wishing for a bit more from the adult characters. Many of them felt overly distant or standoffish, and Benny is clearly left to shoulder more than most kids her age. Her mother, in particular, seemed oddly removed at times, which only highlighted how often Benny has to navigate things alone and act far more grown-up than she should have to. While this adds to Benny’s strength and independence, it also made me ache for her in quieter moments.

Still, The Isle of Ever is an engaging, smart, and emotionally resonant read. It perfectly balances its whimsical premise with real stakes and a heroine you’ll immediately root for. I absolutely cannot wait for the next installment in the series—there’s so much more to discover, and I’m already eager to dive back into Benny’s world.

Overall, I would highly recommended for fans of puzzles, the magical realism, and bold, brave heroines with big hearts.