The enthralling dawn of an unmissable voyage.
Exiled from his home among the Fira people, young Ash braves the wild Snow Sea and the ferocious Leviathans in pursuit of his long-lost parents.
Ash’s status as a Song Weaver rouses fear and dread throughout the Fira Stronghold, where rumors of the potentially destructive power of Song Weaving abound. After all, a Song Weaver can communicate with the deadly Leviathans, making them vulnerable to the loathsome creatures’ influence. When an aggressive Leviathan assault forces the Frostheart, a massive sleigh crewed by traders known as Pathfinders, to take momentary refuge in the Fira Stronghold, Ash spots an opportunity to embark on his quest. Accompanied by his stoic guardian, a powerful yeti named Tobu, the young Song Weaver joins the Frostheart’s peculiar crew, including a feisty, walruslike captain named Nuk, a bold, young Drifter named Lunah, and a mysterious archeomek expert named Shaard. Full of intriguing worldbuilding details, as well as a cast of memorable, enchanting characters, Littler’s saga offers oodles of thrilling moments of danger interspersed with an acute understanding of heartfelt storytelling. The inclusion of striking illustrations, which heighten reader immersion, further delineates each character’s charm. (Ash is depicted with pale skin; some others have darker skin.) Equipped with a song left to guide him along the way, Ash uncovers secrets about his parents and powers in equal measure while new friends and foes—human-kin and Leviathan alike—join him on his adventure.
The enthralling dawn of an unmissable voyage. (Fantasy. 8-12)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-451-48134-4
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
File under “laugh riot.”
A rogue spell-check program’s bid to transform all life-forms into that eminently useful office item, the paper clip, touches off a fresh round of lunar lunacy.
Predicated on the entirely reasonable premise that eliminating all spelling and grammar errors everywhere would logically lead to the necessity of exterminating carbon-based life in the universe, this third series entry combines high stakes with daffy banter and daring exploits. CheckMate—a chipper, jumped-up editing program—has invented the Transmogratron, a giant laser that will fulfill its ultimate goals in both the cyber world and “meatspace.” Facing challenges as random as prankster lunar unicorns and a disarmingly motherly Motherboard, scowling First Cat joins a motley crew of diversely carbon- and silicon-based allies, led by the pearlescent Queen of the Moon. They’re in a race to the finish—diverted occasionally by, for instance, a relentlessly punny comic-book interlude featuring a pair of literal and figurative Pool Sharks. They ultimately triumph thanks to teamwork and moxie. Following a celebratory party and toasts to “new friends…and steadfast comrades” (and, of course, “MEOW”), the story’s energetic, brightly colored panels close with a reveal of the next volume. (“I always hate it when comics end by announcing a sequel. SO CRINGE!” declares an authorial stand-in.) It can’t come too soon.
File under “laugh riot.” (Graphic science fiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Nov. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9780063315280
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Sept. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2024
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
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