When three sisters escape slavery and help their people, the ancients bestow on them special supernatural powers to aid their quest. These powers are then passed on to their female relatives on their thirteenth birthday. For Alora Factor, that day has arrived. There are currently only two Factor females in the field and Alora is the only female of her generation. Which of her ancestors’ powers will she receive? Times have changed and instead of just fighting for the people, Alora now has to face beings from other realms. Luckily her two best friends are by her side through thick and thin. Meanwhile, they have to keep a healthy balance between training, socializing, and just being teenagers in this fantasy novel by D.L. Williams, Alora Factor – Invasion of the Realm Jumpers.

This book has everything from non-binary entities and transgender teens to supernatural powers and shapeshifting. The plot is filled with love in all its forms. There is friendship, family, acceptance, humility, and duty. Every conceivable moral and emotion has its place in this story. Just as the trio of friends has to balance their lives, the author has perfectly balanced this book with its mixture of intricacies with profound precision. This young adult urban fantasy is written in the first-person narrative from the perspective of the three friends. Of vital importance to me were the relationships each of the teens has with their parents. There was honesty and trust from both parties. Navigating being a teen in this day and age warrants that sort of emotional support and stability.

Alora Factor: Invasion of the Realm Jumpers is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, adventure, and social issues subgenres. It is intended for the young adult reading audience but could also be enjoyed by mature middle-grade readers, and was penned by author D. L. Williams. In this thrilling adventure novel that takes a representative and diverse look at fantasy fiction, we follow central hero Alora, a thirteen-year-old set to inherit an incredible array of superpowers from her ancestors. In order to use these powers for the pursuit of justice, Alora must find a balance between her normal teenage life and the strange new presence of beings from an unknown realm who are trying to break through to the human world.

It was so refreshing to read a brand-new YA book that really hits all the touchstones that diverse teen readers are sure to be seeking, from the array of gender representations and presentations to the authentic presentation of a hero where all the boring, old-fashioned, skinny, Caucasian, Disney-esque wherewithal has been stripped away. In Alora, we find a natural girl with supernatural gifts, and an exciting life both socially and on her journey to be a Factor and battle to save humanity. Andrea was a personal favorite of mine throughout the story, and I found myself totally fascinated by learning about their cultural life with their mother. I also thought their bond with Alora was a great example for young readers of how to treat your friends with compassion. Overall, I would highly recommend Alora Factor: Invasion of the Realm Jumpers and author D. L. Williams to YA fans seeking their next obsession. A truly unique and much-needed modern read.