An intriguing adventure with promise.
A prince seeks to fulfill his royal ambitions.
In the kingdom of Samtei, no ruler has ever ascended the throne without having formed a bond with a magical beast, or monstermate, by the age of 13. That is why Jin, the 12-year-old crown prince, decides to sneak into the forbidden Bureau of Divination and find out more about these now scarce mythical creatures. Before he is caught, Jin overhears ministers in conversation with his grandmother, the empress dowager, suggesting that he visit Whisper Island, a sanctuary for creatures of the in between. Despite Grandmother’s harsh punishments, Jin—with the aid of servant girl Bingyoo—gets into scrapes and is banned from going to the island where he hoped to find a monstermate until he can prove to her he is worthy. Nevertheless, Jin hires a ship to take him to Whisper Island, unexpectedly joined by stowaways: Bingyoo and Jin’s dog, Shishi. On the island the trio find wild monsters, the ruins of an attacked city, and some survivors, twins Mau and Masa and their Aunt Ayie. Solid storytelling outlines Jin’s growth as he gradually learns Whispering, a skill used to bond with magical creatures and cultivate true companionship. Unfortunately, other characters in this Asian-inspired fantasy world are not as well fleshed out. Readers will be left with some lingering questions about the political intrigue surrounding Jin’s family; a sequel may bring more clarity.
An intriguing adventure with promise. (author’s note, bestiary) (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9780063064799
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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