Review: A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes

By Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski

New York: Henry Holt & Co., 2026. Fantasy. 352 pgs.

In the city of Yerat, 12-year-old Nia has a special gift and a big secret. She has a supernatural sense of smell, and she's worried if anyone finds out they'll mark her as a Sinsory. The Sinsories are a group of people born with magical senses that they periodically use to fight plagues and protect others, but superstitious people still view them as evil. Though she tries to hide her gift, Nia is recruited to the Cloister - a school where Sinsories learn to fight plagues. Her start at the Cloister is rocky, but her unique sense of smell makes Nia a vital part of crafting a curefume for a new, very strong, scent-based plague. As the plague claims victims; and Nia fears for the safety of her loved ones outside the Cloister; she and two new Sinsory friends decide to risk everything to save those they love.

This high-stakes fantasy novel is set in a remarkably unique magical world. Readers will be entranced with the worldbuilding and the inventive rules of sensory magic. There is a suitably heroic ending in store for Nia and friends, which will make this book appealing to middle grade readers. But the plague is vicious, and the stakes are truly high, which makes this book a non-stop adventure that will appeal to young teens as well. Rich with sensory details, this is a truly original fantasy for young readers.

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