A Star Wars tale that successfully reflects the series’ madcap spirit of adventure.
On the eve of the Republic Fair, an unexpected threat looms over the planet of Valo.
As dignitaries and far-flung guests arrive at Lonisa City, Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram learns of a potential breach at Crashpoint Tower. Heading over to investigate, Ram fends off an attack from mysterious intruders who have sabotaged the comms tower. The incident seems to promise even more problems, so the young Padawan rushes back to the city to alert the local Jedi. Meanwhile, Padawan Lula Talisola joins revered Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh to search for clues as to the whereabouts of the Nihil, havoc-wrecking marauders who orchestrated a great hyperspace disaster, ending up on a trail that leads them directly to a Nihil base. There Lula and Vernestra witness a Nihil fleet departing to commence an attack on Valo. As Lula and Vernestra head to Valo to halt the oncoming onslaught, Ram must rush to Crashpoint Tower to fix the comms hub and alert the far-off Republic and Jedi. A brisk read, the novel moves at a breakneck pace, presenting a vast and diverse cast of intergalactic characters in broad strokes. Ruminations on the Force and characters’ backstories mostly recede to the background in favor of zippy action sequences and cool foes for the young Padawans to face, and this installment’s all the better for it. Final art not seen.
A Star Wars tale that successfully reflects the series’ madcap spirit of adventure. (timeline) (Science fiction. 8-12)Pub Date: June 29, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-368-06066-0
Page Count: 240
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm
Review Posted Online: Aug. 25, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
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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