A robust, magical cast propels this diverting fantasy.
In Gouveia’s middle-grade fantasy novel, youngsters use their astonishing abilities to prevent a powerful evildoer from igniting a war in their realm.
Twelve-year-old Roe, her brothers, and their friends wield magical powers to protect their farmlands in the fantastical Drifters Realm. The biggest threat they face is the sinister city leader, Zane, whose plan (already underway) will ultimately spark a war. After a battle with Zane (and an army of formidable beings he essentially controls) separates members of Roe’s group, the teens and tweens eventually reunite. Each has a special ability and corresponding backpack that can hold myriad items of any size; Roe, for example, is a “Life Giver” who can heal people, and she wears a flower-patterned backpack. She figures out that Zane has a more specific goal in mind—he aims to steal Roe’s twin brother Ori’s “Sorcerer” power via a forcible transfer that will kill Ori. Because Zane needs the magical Shadow Stone to accomplish this, Roe strives to track down the stone first. In the meantime, she fights off Zane’s army and hones her unexpectedly surging powers. Gouveia dives into this second installment of the Drifters Realm series with a hefty established cast. There’s “Storm Catcher” Tora, the triplet sibling Roe and Ori only recently learned existed; their older brother, Theo, a “Tamer” who can communicate with animals and begins this book in the form of a lion; and “Navigator” Seth, an apparently unpleasant teen whom only Roe seems to like. The author’s impeccable pacing shifts between different sets of characters teaming up (such as Ori and Tora’s adventure in enemy territory) while delivering explosive battles and action scenes. (“Try as they might with lightning bolts, the Guardians’ powers were useless against these enormous trees whose bark was a foot thick. Nothing could penetrate the Sleeping Giants’ circle.”) The delightfully unpredictable Tora and the ever-compassionate Roe shine. Ori is this book’s unfortunate sore spot; he’s envious of Roe having mastered her abilities while he struggles. Throughout the novel, Branillus’ vibrant, watercolor-style art showcases both action and quieter moments, like a serene pond teeming with forest life.
A robust, magical cast propels this diverting fantasy.Pub Date: Feb. 20, 2024
ISBN: 9798891321519
Page Count: 188
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 21, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
BOOK REVIEW
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