Fans who earlier fell in love with gutsy Lailu and her cooking exploits may be disappointed in this convoluted sequel.
In this follow-up to A Dash of Dragon (2017), young chef-apprentice Lailu Loganberry must get to the bottom of a murder mystery before war breaks out between scientists and elves.
On the first day of the Week of Masks, a celebration “to ward off evil spirits,” Lailu and her mentor cater the royal executioner’s party opening the observance. Lailu’s determined to prepare an amazing griffin meal the aristocrats won’t forget. While Lailu’s feast is eaten “with enthusiasm,” the highlight is undoubtedly head scientist Starling Volan’s demonstration of an automaton that acts as server, entertainer, or protector at the touch of a button. Unlike the captivated audience, Lailu is anxious knowing Starling is in possession of such a dangerous tool. But for the time being, Lailu has other things on her mind, notably her growing feelings for “one-time-rival turned sort-of friend” Greg and her mother’s unexpected appearance. Things come to a head when Lailu and Greg discover a dead scientist while out hunting hydra. A furious Starling suspects the elves—and then an elf is found murdered. Full of imaginative detail, the second installment of Lailu’s adventures has its fair share of plot twists and nail-biting monster hunts. However, the ensemble cast and multiple plot threads are hard to track. The book seems to subscribe to the white default.
Fans who earlier fell in love with gutsy Lailu and her cooking exploits may be disappointed in this convoluted sequel. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: July 10, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7795-6
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: April 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2018
Fully absorbing.
When Dr. Holtz’s body is discovered just outside the lunar colony, everyone assumes he made a mistake putting on his spacesuit—but 12-year-old Dashiell “Dash” Gibson has reason to believe this was no accident.
Earth’s first space base has been a living hell for Dash. There’s not much to do on the moon besides schoolwork and virtual-reality gaming, and there’s only a handful of kids his age up there with him. The chance to solve a murder is exactly the type of excitement Dash needs. As clues are found and secrets are uncovered, Dash comes to understand that some of the base’s residents aren’t what they seem to be. With a small cast of characters supplying an excellent variety of suspects, Gibbs creates the best kind of “murder on a train” mystery. The genius, however, is putting the train in space. Closed quarters and techno–mumbo-jumbo add delightful color to the proceedings. Thankfully, the author doesn’t let the high-concept setting overshadow the novel’s mystery. The whodunit is smartly paced and intricately plotted. Best of all, the reveal is actually worth all the buildup. Thrillers too often fly off the rails in their final moments, but the author’s steady hand keeps everything here on track.
Fully absorbing. (Mystery. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-9486-2
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Happily, Kerley’s execution matches her ambition, resulting in a highly readable story that pairs a rapid-fire plot with a...
There is a lot going on in this mystery/sci-fi/coming-of-age adventure about a girl and the charismatic dog next door.
When Professor Reese moves in with her giant, gray, shaggy dog, Baxter, next door to 11-year-old Jordie Marie Wallace, Jordie’s life changes in a number of ways: she’s always wanted a dog; she awakens to the lure of scientific discovery; and she experiences a number of “opportunities to be more dependable.” Dense plotlines weave together many intertwining threads, but it all fits together. A subplot about Jordie’s participation in a “Study Buddies” project and one about her circle of friends’ plan to open a hairdresser/vet/day care both turn out to be key to the development of her self-awareness. This is all back story to the main storyline: Jordie volunteers to walk Baxter while Professor Reese works on her research into the possibility of teleportation. When Professor Reese disappears, Jordie, her brother, and “magical” Baxter work together to solve the case. Clues to Jordie’s strengths and challenges are not explicitly articulated but are aptly shown through other characters’ reactions. Her relationships with friends and family are realistic, which juxtaposes cleverly with the speculative aspect of the plot. The book subscribes to the white default, with racial diversity hinted at in supporting characters’ names.
Happily, Kerley’s execution matches her ambition, resulting in a highly readable story that pairs a rapid-fire plot with a likable protagonist. (Science fiction. 9-12)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-249978-3
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2018
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