The War of the Maps (The Vanishing Kingdom, Book 3)
By: Jonathan Auxier
My Rating: FIVE out of FIVE Stars
Best For: 12 and up

The War of the Maps: A Perfectly Magical Conclusion to a Perfect Trilogy!

One of my favorite middle-grade series has come to a close, and I have to say, Jonathan Auxier stuck the landing. If you’ve been following my reviews, you know I’m a huge fan of his ability to nail that tricky middle-grade age range. His books are exactly the right balance between challenging and accessible, and The Vanished Kingdom trilogy is a perfect example of his talent.

What’s the series about?

The journey begins with Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, the story of a blind orphan who is also a master thief. When Peter discovers three pairs of magical eyes, he’s launched on a fantastical adventure that will give him answers about his past and himself. The adventure continues in Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard, where we meet Sophie, a book-lover and book-mender who must team up with Peter to save all the stories in the world. The series crescendos with The War of the Maps, a breathtaking fantasy that takes Peter and Sophie to the very ends of the earth and into a vast, mythic war between magic and reason.

What did I love?

This is a series of pure magic, and each book builds beautifully on the last. I loved how real and relatable the characters are; they’re so well-written they made me feel like I could be a hero too! This is a story that appeals to both boys and girls, and the partnership between Peter and Sophie is a joy to read. Their banter is a highlight, and I love that the author didn’t try to force a romance, allowing their friendship and partnership to shine.

The world-building is spectacular, too. What starts as a simple tale of magic and fairy tales slowly evolves into a profound exploration of progress, showing how the worlds of reason and magic are in conflict, and how right and wrong are not always fixed points on a map. Auxier masterfully weaves humor, sorrow, suspense, and mystery into a beautifully layered tale with profound lessons about friendship, bravery, and resilience.

The War of the Maps is an action-packed, powerful, and beautiful conclusion. I was so sad to see the series end, but the finale is incredibly satisfying. It ties up all the loose threads and brings the characters’ journeys to a perfect, if bittersweet, close. This is a series that grows with you, and it’s the kind of story that can bring back a love of reading that may have faded over the years.

Sensitive Content: No content concerns.

Should you read it?

This is a fantastic series to share with your middle graders (or anyone who has ever been a middle-grader). If you’re looking for an epic quest with clever characters, unique magic, and a whole lot of heart, then you’ve found your next read. This is a series that will be talked about in classrooms for years to come. This dad says The War of the Maps is best for 12 and up.

Happy Reading!