THE CURSE OF THE ROMANY WOLVES

All is not well with the multispecies residents of Porthleven village. Donald, the adopted Romany wolf cub of apothecaries Penhaligon (half-wolf, half-fox) and Rowan (all vixen), has been stricken with febra lupi, a disease deadly to Romany wolves; only Donald and his sister Dora survived the last outbreak. Now the disease is spreading to other species. This sequel to The Daring Adventures of Penhaligon Brush (2007) starts slowly as the characters are introduced, but once Penhaligon sets sail with the unsavory Elgato to seek a cure, a rare herb growing on Howling Island, the story picks up speed and energy, building to an exciting finish. While Penhaligon deals with sea serpents, pirates and the mysterious island’s denizens, Rowan struggles to keep the disease in check at home. Throughout, gentle messages about tolerance of difference and valuing diversity are inserted; even villains prove capable of reform. The characters behave more like humans than animals, but Slade’s charming illustrations help to supply much of what is missing in the text. (Fantasy. 8-12)