The Mirror Drifters: The Other Magic by David Dean is an adventure story for young readers. Until they turned twelve, there was nothing special about Maya, Ben, and Archie’s lives. But on their twelfth birthdays, something magical happens – they discover the secret of mirrors. Not just a way to see their reflections, they discover that mirrors are gateways to another realm, a place where adventures await. When they discover Jo, the sister they thought was gone forever, things start to get dangerous. Sinister conjurors are after them, and they must learn to use their powers if they are to fight back. They must learn to use their other magic, their greatest powers, but when nothing is what it seems to be, they need to work out who they can and can’t trust. Can they make it back to the real world with their sister, or are they stuck in this magical realm?

The Mirror Drifters by David Dean is a fun story with a unique plot, plenty of action and adventure, and some amazing characters. These are real people with real lives and typical teenage attitudes and problems, and – visiting a magical realm through a mirror aside – most readers will be able to identify with them on some level. The action is non-stop, and the writing is captivating, dragging you into the story on the first page and holding on to you until the surprising ending. With plenty of twists and turns and wonderfully descriptive prose, this story will make you feel as though you are the one having these adventures. I highly recommend it to young readers, although, as an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope it’s just the start of an exciting series with more to come.

Archie, Ben, and Maya have just turned twelve. They're siblings, but they’re not triplets. They’re not even related. They just live together with the same parents. Sounds confusing. But, in David Dean’s The Mirror Drifters, things become even more complicated. The three children have lived ordinary lives up to now. But turning twelve has changed everything. Not only have the mirrors evolved into portals to a magical realm, but the three children are discovering that they have magic within them. Maya’s sister, Jo, reappears; she’s been lost for a long time. Just as they’re getting reacquainted, the children are faced with a slew of dangers as sinister conjurers pursue them. Hiding in a cottage, the children learn of their powers, making alliances with strange creatures. But who can they trust? And will their newly discovered magic be enough to protect them from the encroaching evil?

David Dean’s middle-grade novel, The Mirror Drifters: The Other Magic, is a fantasy adventure that will keep young readers enthralled and entertained to the end. The plot begins with the birthday revelations and the appearance of Maya’s long-lost sister, Jo. As the mirrors become portals and evil approaches, the plot thickens, and adventures begin. The language is simple with ample descriptive narrative and effective dialogue. The characters are well-developed and believable, especially Archie and Ben, who act distinctly like rivaling siblings right from the opening scene. Family and friendships are frail and difficult to ascertain, but the children find a way to learn who to trust. It is a compelling read, very enjoyable, and appropriate for the older middle-grade reader.