A wholesome, modern twist on the classic legend that could provide a gateway for newer readers and fun for the gaming set.
Two contemporary gamers find themselves living a real-life fantasy adventure with the future King Arthur and Guinevere even as they navigate rough-water friendships.
Twelve-year-old Sophie and her best friend, Stu, play “Camelot’s Honor,” an online video game based on Arthurian legend. Unknown to them, their third party member is the real wizard Merlin, connected with time-traveling Wi-Fi. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Arthur and Princess Guinevere pal around. One day, instead of pulling a certain sword out of a stone, he falls through a magic well, landing in 21st-century Massachusetts. After he learns his legendary fate with a search on “the Google,” he decides to stay and play football, a decision that drastically alters history. The four teens travel through time and face the vengeful sorceress Morgana—but, as Merlin says, “unfortunately in real life there are no do-overs.” Mancusi builds suspense well in this series opener. The casual, multiple-perspective narration keeps the characters familiar and approachable for young readers, even within the medieval setting. The ultimate message is muddled, however; dreams of self-determination clash with apparently inevitable destinies. There is some troubling gender treatment: Even though Guinevere can fight, she still needs rescuing and ends up pigeonholed as romantic drama, and the text fails to challenge Arthur's 21st-century pal's obnoxious, anti-feminist declaration that he hopes to "score a dance with a real medieval chick." The book features no characters of color in either timeline, offering a default-white cast. Mancusi sets the stage for future adventures…in the past.
A wholesome, modern twist on the classic legend that could provide a gateway for newer readers and fun for the gaming set. (Fantasy. 8-13)Pub Date: Nov. 20, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-368-01084-9
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Aug. 26, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2018
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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