A swiftly paced and wildly delightful fantasy romp.
For a seventh grader and his pals, saving humanity means braving an underworld teeming with perils in Davis’ debut middle-grade novel.
Unabashedly nerdy Max Kellerman’s home away from home is his uncle’s bookstore in Providence, Rhode Island. After an odd run-in with a professor there, he learns all about creatures who have long been stealing people’s time to gain a life force; once they’ve acquired enough time, they’ll use it to enter the humans’ realm and destroy Earth. The details are vague: All of that pilfered time is in “the Vault,” located in another realm called Nemesis. Max, with help from friends Derek and Sam, can upend the creatures’ apocalyptic plans by destroying said Vault. But Nemesis may also have information about Max’s father, a theoretical mathematician who went missing after an explosion at the Zurich university where he was working. After finding their way to the other world, the youngsters battle (and mostly flee from) an array of monsters with reptilian scales or “razor teeth” while steering clear of Nemesis’ much-feared ruler, Abaddon. Davis energizes this story with an unwavering pace; even early scenes of exposition suggest an urgency (Earth is in danger) and ominous threats, as when Max receives an unnerving phone call. Once in Nemesis, creatures pop up one after the other, from two-headed, dragonlike Narks to wereboars sporting “high-voltage tusks.” The author skillfully depicts these beings, along with various underworld spots like the alliterative Maze of Madness and Point of Paradox. It’s not all frights; food-obsessed Derek provides comic relief, while the trio’s amiable quasi-guide, Humphries, a slimy, six-armed, three-eyed Boggart, is a welcome contrast to the terrifying beasts. While this book could easily be a stand-alone adventure, Davis leaves room (and unanswered questions) for a sequel. Peacock’s bold-lined, comic book–style artwork merely hints at the monsters but aptly showcases the kids dodging falling debris or holding on tight to one of Humphries’ arms.
A swiftly paced and wildly delightful fantasy romp.Pub Date: March 17, 2024
ISBN: 9798990031623
Page Count: 202
Publisher: Philaments
Review Posted Online: April 25, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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 pleasing premise for book lovers.
A fantasy-loving bookworm makes a wonderful, terrible bargain.
When sixth grader Poppy Woodlock’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on the titular stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Indeed, the exiled water nymph in the manor’s ruined swimming pool grants a wish, but: “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.” The price? Poppy’s favorite book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. In return she receives Sampson, a winged lion cub who is everything Poppy could have hoped for. But she soon learns that the nymph didn’t take just her own physical book—she erased Narnia from Poppy’s world. And it’s just the first loss: Soon, Poppy’s grandmother’s journal’s gone, then The Odyssey, and more. The loss is heartbreaking, but Sampson’s a wonderful companion, particularly as Poppy’s finding middle school a tough adjustment. Hartman’s premise is beguiling—plenty of readers will identify with Poppy, both as a fellow bibliophile and as a kid struggling to adapt. Poppy’s repeatedly expressed faith that unveiling Sampson will bring some sort of vindication wears thin, but that does not detract from the central drama. It’s a pity that the named real-world books Poppy reads are notably lacking in diversity; a story about the power of literature so limited in imagination lets both itself and readers down. Main characters are cued White; there is racial diversity in the supporting cast. Chapters open with atmospheric spot art. (This review has been updated to reflect the final illustrations.)
A pleasing premise for book lovers. (Fantasy. 9-12)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780316448222
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
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