THE BOOK OF LIES

A youthful hero, magically deprived of his memory, survives hardship and betrayal to triumph in the end. Sound familiar? Well yes, but Moloney is far too good a writer not to add to the oldest fantasy plot and twist it just enough to create an interesting new story. Three children an orphanage—Fergus, Nicola and the main character, Marcel—are markedly different from the other residents. When a plausible stranger, Starkey, tells Marcel a tale about a usurping king and an evil wizard, the three join him to endure hardships, adventures, a great betrayal and an ultimately grand reward. Tight plotting and a couple of real surprises in the resolution sustain the reader’s attention right through to the final page. A few unresolved plot elements hint at a sequel, which, according to Moloney’s website, is in the offing. This walloping good read will have special appeal for boys, but the importance of Nicola to the plot will engage female interest as well. (Fantasy. 9-12)