New YA Mystery: The Obsidian Eye

The Obsidian Eye, by Cathy Warshaw, is the first release in an upcoming eight-book YA mystery series. This intriguing mystery begins with sisters and amateur sleuths Chloe and Lily Hastings, and their discovery of a strange artifact. The two sisters are no strangers to uncovering mysteries in their beautiful hometown, but this puzzle quickly turns into something much bigger than they could have guessed, introducing a worldwide conspiracy with ancient roots.

The girls find themselves caught in a centuries-old conspiracy involving secret societies, hidden places, coded messages and terrifying, powerful adversaries. Fortunately, it also introduces them to new friends. Their new allies have a range of skills and abilities.  Each character brings something unique to the group, and their skills are all needed. With seven more books in this series, there will definitely be time to develop their personalities and relationships further. Seeing the new friends combine their different strengths helps make this adventure so fun.

Chloe and Lily are the heart of this story. Their disparate personalities mesh and clash in realistic ways, and both of their strengths will be needed to solve the mystery and then to survive. Their sisterly affection feels completely genuine, which helps to ground the more fantastic elements of the story. Sisterhood is at its core, but The Obsidian Eye is not just a sister story—it’s a friendship story and a mystery adventure, too.

Overall, The Obsidian Eye is a great story for younger readers who want to join warm characters in solving puzzles that mix ancient legend with modern-day adventure.  This book sets the stage for a series that promises even more surprises, challenges, puzzles, and deeper friendships as the friends dive further into these secrets. The ending is solid and satisfying, but it’s clear that more adventures and further danger await the friends. The first three books are out now, with more on the way.