NEMESIS AND THE VAULT OF LOST TIME

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.