Kirkus Reviews QR Code
COOPER PERU AND THE CURSE OF KINGS by Mister E.

COOPER PERU AND THE CURSE OF KINGS

by Mister E.

Publisher: BookBaby

In this debut middle-grade fantasy, a boy learns his true elven heritage and fights to reclaim it.

Cooper Peru is in most ways an average 12-year-old boy. A seventh grader at Thacker Avenue Middle School, he’s of medium height, medium build, has “unremarkable” brown hair, and earns average grades. But he wears headphones at all times to cover up his oddly pointed ears and is strangely attracted to the forest; he’s “more comfortable in the company of trees” than anywhere else. After some puzzling events, including Cooper’s unusual success at an archery contest, he’s selected to attend the “ShadowBranch Institute where he will study archery and enjoy outdoor adventure!” Before going, he learns that he was adopted by his mother when he was 5 or 6, and at ShadowBranch, Cooper discovers an even more astonishing truth: He is part Elpherial, or Elf, and part Viking. Not only that, he’s an Altherion Allseer and the heir to a great fortune. But as such, Cooper also faces resistance from jealous factions within ShadowBranch and from Parradale, a rival school. More importantly, he is threatened by the Horde (once elves, now monsters) whose leader, Arzenick Addick, wants the Cooper family’s artifacts. Cooper must train relentlessly, become an Elf of Distinction, solve some mysteries, and claim ownership of his clan’s chamber—if he can. In his novel, Mister E. uses some plot elements that will feel very familiar to Harry Potter fans, such as the orphaned boy with a special mission, and the unusual school with its lessons, friendships, rivalries, and history. Nevertheless, the elven lore and woodcraft/archery aspect deftly freshen up this tale as does an unexpected twist on Cooper’s family story. Though the plot, as with the Potter series, presents serious challenges and deadly enemies, the author also shows a sly sense of humor through some truly groanworthy puns. For example, Horde raiders of Elven stone-built temples are called Stone Temple Pirates, and a crude, drunken elf is named “Hooka Zenblow” (say it fast).

An entertaining, satisfying take on the magical boarding school tale.