THE ETERNITY ELIXIR

Twelve-year-old Gordy is already a gifted Dram, an adolescent brewer of potions, but it will take all of his talent, his training, and the help of his friends if he is going to save the Elixirist community.

But what chance does an inexperienced Dram have against a mummified Mesopotamian king, a band of evil potion masters, and the world’s most notorious Elixirist? But while Gordy might be weak in training, he is strong in creativity, developing potions such as Rocket Vomit, Extra Limb, and Rat Magnet. His inventions are not exactly approved by B.R.E.W (that’s the Board of Ruling Elixirists Worldwide to the uninitiated), but they are effective. Even with the help of two experienced Elixirists and a magically animated skeleton, it is unlikely they will succeed, but Gordy learns that a sense of humor, the willingness to be bold, and his love for his family and friends might win the day. While the worldbuilding is vague and the enemies are familiar, wackiness and suspense keep the pages turning. The primary characters are white Americans, but secondary characters hail from El Salvador, Russia, Great Britain, and more. A glossary of potions highlights some of the incredible brews, while an epilogue hints that there are more adventures to come.

A solid if not spectacular beginning.