Humor and heart mix in this fantasy romp about learning to see different perspectives.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a girl who despises quests is destined to embark on one.
Nell O’Dell’s ex-quester parents founded an inn at the Golden Crossroads, where 12 roads meet, a perfect location in their quest-obsessed land. Though Nell enjoys working at the inn’s tavern and tending her chickens, she dismisses their questing customers as annoying and useless. Then a government letter arrives, threatening to seize the property, and only Nell has the time to ferry their deed to the Exchequer in Grand Dalian. To her annoyance, bog goblin Midge (who loves quests) and Ghost (the family’s immortal cat) join her. Inevitably, a girl with a dragon, determined to destroy the inn, steals the deed—and though they pursue her, Nell remains adamant that this is not a quest! Martin’s descriptive worldbuilding and extensive knowledge of fantasy quest tropes breathe life into Nell’s endearingly ridiculous world. The character development really shines. Half-elf and half-human Nell, who has pointy ears and chestnut hair with opalescent strands, has an understandable frustration with quests. But she’s so laser-focused on her own concerns that she at first mistreats and dismisses anyone with different interests—despite their offers of help, friendship, and kindness. Her expanding empathy and worldview form the heart of this fast-paced adventure, and her delightfully memorable companions enjoy satisfying character arcs as well. Final art not seen.
Humor and heart mix in this fantasy romp about learning to see different perspectives. (map) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: April 7, 2026
ISBN: 9781536243314
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant.
Robot Roz undertakes an unusual ocean journey to save her adopted island home in this third series entry.
When a poison tide flowing across the ocean threatens their island, Roz works with the resident creatures to ensure that they will have clean water, but the destruction of vegetation and crowding of habitats jeopardize everyone’s survival. Brown’s tale of environmental depredation and turmoil is by turns poignant, graceful, endearing, and inspiring, with his (mostly) gentle robot protagonist at its heart. Though Roz is different from the creatures she lives with or encounters—including her son, Brightbill the goose, and his new mate, Glimmerwing—she makes connections through her versatile communication abilities and her desire to understand and help others. When Roz accidentally discovers that the replacement body given to her by Dr. Molovo is waterproof, she sets out to seek help and discovers the human-engineered source of the toxic tide. Brown’s rich descriptions of undersea landscapes, entertaining conversations between Roz and wild creatures, and concise yet powerful explanations of the effect of the poison tide on the ecology of the island are superb. Simple, spare illustrations offer just enough glimpses of Roz and her surroundings to spark the imagination. The climactic confrontation pits oceangoing mammals, seabirds, fish, and even zooplankton against hardware and technology in a nicely choreographed battle. But it is Roz’s heroism and peacemaking that save the day.
Hugely entertaining, timely, and triumphant. (author’s note) (Fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 26, 2023
ISBN: 9780316669412
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2023
A deeply imaginative journey that puts the “cat” in cathartic.
A loyal black kitten’s boy is under supernatural attack.
Eleven-month-old Nimbus loves Fletcher, the boy who nursed her back to health following life-threatening injuries. When Fletcher becomes curious about a strange jar and opens it, releasing a terrible goblin, loyal Nim protects Fletcher, taking heavy damage in the process. But Fletcher’s aunt, who’s caring for him over spring break, believes Nim attacked Fletcher and dumps her far from home. Rhett, a stylish rat with star quality, befriends injured Nim and leads her to a witch’s house. While the witch cares for Nim, the witch’s cats (maternal Fern, bookish Rochester, standoffish Bianca, and openly hostile Abraxas) teach Nim important cat skills. She also discovers she has a supernatural ability: In destroying one eye of the nightmare demon in the fight to protect Fletcher, Nim gained its “dream sight.” But she also learns it might come back for Fletcher, who no longer has Nim to protect him, posing a time-sensitive, high-stakes threat. Even though the witch’s home is nice and magic itself seems to be telling her to stay put, Nim wants to find a way back to Fletcher. As a hero, Nimbus is as gritty and determined as she is adorable. Tear-jerker moments explore pet abandonment—readers may want their own pets on hand to hug—all the way through the magical, action-packed finale. Fletcher and the witch read white.
A deeply imaginative journey that puts the “cat” in cathartic. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780062680372
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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