PIED

An accidental encounter turns a child’s world upside down.

Eleven-year-old Rim Wickford is an oddity among his military school classmates: He’s often surrounded by animals that are acting strangely, he can’t see colors other than gray, and his uncle forbids him to have anything to do with music. But when he inadvertently hears the sound of a pipe, Rim can’t resist playing it, unleashing an explosion of color and chaos. Rim’s uncle finally accepts that he can no longer keep Rim from knowing his true identity as a Piper, or someone who “can control any living thing with just a note, a beat, a rhythm.” This turn of events ushers in a series of fantastical sights and magical tests, a slew of newfound friends and enemies, and some in-depth exposition. The author is bursting with ideas—readers motivated by worldbuilding will savor the details, while others will be bogged down by the lengthy explication. The cozy-third-person narration lends the story a classic feel, but the skimpy character development limits its emotional impact. Biracial Rim, who had parents who are cued as having been Black and white, is likable enough, but his motivations are often unclear. The supporting characters are painted in broad, predictable strokes, and some awkward word choices and sentence constructions may trip readers up. Ultimately, this installment ends with more questions than answers.

An ambitious debut that doesn’t quite land.