2.5
So… it was good but there were several things that took my rating down. There was a lot of language, d words and h words. It was rather dark at times and there were several parts that were disturbing. I did like Nia though, she was good. Though, I kept getting confused between Lime and Lowe because of their names. It was a good story and I liked the idea behind it, but it kinda dragged in the middle and felt like it just wasn’t going anywhere. All in all, this book wasn’t for me and sadly not one that I can just hand to anyone to read.

Very well written. Great characters. I'd love for her to be a second one, but left you satisfied if there isn't. Interesting world that was written too

This was a fantastic and unique middle grade fantasy about a girl named Nia who basically has super human smelling abilities. I have never read a book with this concept before so it was really cool to be immersed in such a unique world. I loved it!

This seems pretty unique in the fantasy world. Nia has a truly gifted sense of smell. So much so that she might be able to find a cure to the current plague. As Nia is recruited for the special place called "the Cloister" she discovers that not all is as it should be. The Cloister was founded to help people, and the people need a lot of help, not only because they live in a desert, but because plagues keep coming. Nia and her new friends from the Cloister have to try to figure out what is going on, and how to cure the plague.

This is a good adventure with lots of twists and plenty of danger.

My rating: 3.5

Twelve-year old Nia lives in the port town of Yerat where the only things more dangerous than the gangs are the plagues that arrive by ship. She and her friend Fox live on the streets and in the sewers, using Nia’s amazing sense of smell to survive. But Nia’s mother always warned her to keep her ‘sinsory’ ability a secret.

Just as a new plague takes hold in the city, the Dowager – a rich sensory living in Yerat - discovers Nia’s secret and invites her to join the Cloister. Nia escapes the city to study at the Cloister with other children with heightened senses. In her quest to discover the ‘curefume’ for the latest plague, Nia uncovers more secrets about the Cloister and its sinsories than she bargained for.

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes is a fast-moving fantasy with lots of twists and turns. But I felt the emphasis on plot let down the intriguing characters. Often, I was left wanting to understand more about the bad guys’ motives while the action moved on. Without giving away any spoilers, the motivation behind the antagonists was not clear/strong enough to justify what they did. I know I would have cared more about the characters and their plight if the narrative had included a few more moments where the action slowed down and made me care about their connections and emotional states more often.

Despite the potentially dark subject matter, A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes is fun fantasy read. The authors have created a rich world. I would have loved to spend a little more time exploring that world and the characters within it.

Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

Endearing and original fantasy about people with sensory superpowers. Good world-building and sweet characters made this a quick and enjoyable read.

A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes is a beautiful and endearing middle-grade story. The concept was so unique and so interesting that I don't believe I've ever come across anything like this. This is the type of book I would have devoured as a child in my early, budding book lover days!

The magical elements, the secretive school, and the sensory-based powers had me hooked! Nia's adventure as a "sinsory"
was compelling, and her being both a danger and a gift was a chef's kiss! I loved this little world, and it was absolutely adorable.

"A Tale of Plagues and Perfumes" is a GREAT dare I say AMAZING new middle grade novel. It follows a 12 year old girl named Nia, who has been hiding the fact that she is a sinsory, someone with superpower senses(specifically scent). But when a plague hits her city, Nia and friends must use their sinsory powers to procure a "curefume", that will hopefully cure the infected.

This was such a unique standalone middle grade novel. A city constantly at threat from plagues, super powers that relate to having very strong senses, and plague cures made from scent, sound, etc. It was fast paced, adventurous, and I loved the friends Nia started off with as well as made along the way. I was able to read this in 2 days, and found it enjoyable even as an adult, even knowing the target audience is much younger. I highly recommend adding this to any middle school readers shelf!

5/5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review