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GARGANTIS by Thomas Taylor Kirkus Star

GARGANTIS

From the Legends of Eerie-on-Sea series, volume 2

by Thomas Taylor ; illustrated by Tom Booth

Pub Date: May 26th, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0859-7
Publisher: Walker US/Candlewick

Legend says that St. Dismal rescued Eerie-on-Sea from Gargantis, a supernatural storm threatening to destroy the coastal village; centuries later, the storm is back.

Herbie Lemon, Lost-and-Founder of the Grand Nautilus Hotel, has a well-founded fear of the ocean. It’s tested when his imperious employer appoints him the one to decide who owns a fish-shaped glass bottle engraved with undecipherable Eerie Script. Professional beachcomber Mrs. Fossil found and claims it; Dr. Thalassi wants it for his museum; Eerie’s fisherfolk insist that because St. Dismal, Eerie’s first fisherman, invented the script, it’s theirs; young Blaze Westerley hopes it’s a clue to his uncle’s disappearance. When Violet Parma, whose curiosity invariably overrules Herbie’s caution, persuades him to open the bottle, what’s inside leads them to Gargantis. As stormquakes shatter the rock beneath Eerie, terrifying hotel guest Deep Hood, face and body concealed (except for a snaking tentacle), bribes the fisherfolk to destroy Gargantis using Herbie as bait. Smart, impulsive Vi (who’s biracial, with a black father) and thoughtful, steadfast Herbie (white, like most of the other characters) are well matched. The book-dispensing mermonkey and oracular cat from opening volume Malamander (2019) return in key roles. Underlying all the fun is a gentle, unforced message about life’s interdependence. Human, animal, and mechanical characters (especially the charming hermit crab) are a winning assortment: enchanting or horrifying, quirky or droll, invariably original. Enticing mysteries remain to be solved. (Most art was unavailable for review.)

Evocative settings, ingenious plotting, sly humor, and shivery suspense render this sequel an unmitigated delight.

(Fantasy. 8-12)