A gripping, if sometimes dark and perplexing, fantasy coming-of-age novel.
In this middle-grade fantasy novel, a young hero must ally with his alter ego in an intricate parallel universe in order to rescue his sister and save his own life.
Twelve-year-old Will Cleary was only 2 when he and his twin sister, Emmy, became two of hundreds who “simply vanished” without a trace, whose disappearances were recorded in a dusty tome known as the “gravestone book.” Only Will returned, brought back a week later by Deá and Damian, a wolf and a falcon who became his inseparable companions. Now Will, with Deá and Damian at his side, sets off to rescue his sister. His quest leads him to unexpected, magical destinations, including a land where a boy relived his birthday over and over before uncovering the secret of Echoland, a shadow version of Earth. There, everyone has a translucent counterpart—an “Echo,” who can only live while their “Sound,” or earthly equivalent, remains alive. Will’s Echo, the Prince of Echoland, has dangerous enemies; they plan to murder Will in order to destroy the Prince. Will must negotiate the dangers of this strange world to help the Prince before the murderous Fate Sealers kill them both. Author Pellucid appears as a character in this novel. In Echoland, she creates a complex, detailed world, filled with crystalline imagery. The relationship between Sounds and their Echoes is intriguing, if sometimes confusing, and the narrative weaves in elements of Hamlet (the prince must avenge his dead father) and Christianity (both young heroes were born on Christmas). The plot features several twists as Will painfully learns who his friends and enemies are. Some of the action scenes are chaotic, and there are some grisly scenes, but the suspense is handled well. The ending leaves several loose ends unresolved, suggesting a future third volume.
A gripping, if sometimes dark and perplexing, fantasy coming-of-age novel.Pub Date: March 11, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-987565-16-4
Page Count: 376
Publisher: Nothing but the Story
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2018
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Highly recommended.
An imaginative sci-fi tale with the potential to teach real science.
Suspicious of their scientist parents’ decision to move across the country to join a secretive new company, Ryan and Regan Resnik break in to the heavily guarded complex to check it out. After getting caught, they find their parents inside an alien city hidden deep underground. When their mother is nearly killed by a falling generator, they inadvertently travel back in time as they try to rescue her. Alone again, they search the city, finding a strange zoo and a school, where they learn the secrets of the city. The author’s fluid writing keeps the story moving, and the inventive storyline will maintain reader interest. But the quality that sets this book apart is its focus on teaching the scientific method and introducing to young readers some fascinating and advanced concepts of physics and biology. Ryan and Regan reason their way through what at first seems to be a magical world, but turns out to have rational explanations for its fantastic elements. Richards deftly explains how immune systems work; how the children experiment to make sure that the water they find is safe to drink; and the difficult concepts of time travel. Reminiscent of William Sleator’s work, The Prometheus Project has the potential to introduce children to science and rational thinking through a fun and suspenseful story.
Highly recommended. (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-0-9748765-4-2
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Quite nicely done.
A seventh-grader is expelled from school for wearing a shirt reading, “Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas.”
Twelve-year-old Megan, who “loves Jesus” but isn’t otherwise religious or political, runs afoul of middle-school policy banning specific religious expression when she walks into school wearing the shirt. Upon her suspension, she attracts local publicity and quickly becomes a celebrity when the national media picks up the story. The nation then divides between “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas” partisans. For months, the parentless Megan hides in her apartment, while her older sister tries to cash in on Megan’s notoriety. Eventually, Megan is invited to the White House, where she spends a memorable evening with the First Lady. The story–somewhat reminiscent of Avi’s Nothing but the Truth–flows well, and the author slowly reveals Megan’s apolitical and non-religious reason for wearing the “offensive” shirt. While most of the adults come across as marginally insane, Megan emerges as the most emotionally mature character, until we meet the First Lady and her aide. Readers will find plenty of comedy and suspense as they follow Megan’s adventures–with demagogues on both sides of the argument equally lampooned–and the author provides a satisfying exploration of the hazards of fame, as well as the emotional realities of Megan’s life.
Quite nicely done. (Fiction. YA)Pub Date: Nov. 20, 2006
ISBN: 0-595-41371-4
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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