Implausible plotlines rely on flat characterization.
Puma shapeshifter Carag’s best friend faces guardianship issues that threaten her presence at the school in this fantasy set in Wyoming and translated from German.
Following the events of A Dangerous Friendship (2023), Carag is still dwelling on the nonspecific threats from the human-hating chief villain, Andrew Milling. Carag quickly (and too conveniently) learns that after his refusal to help Milling, the villain has found a new spy in the school. One-dimensional wolf bully Jeff starts making cryptic comments that undercut any mystery as to who the villain’s helper is this time. At one point, the book even acknowledges that a situation is a repeat from a previous installment. Meanwhile, in the ostensible main plot, the arrival of a mean human at the school—a man claiming he’s orphan Holly’s new guardian—throws the kids into turmoil, as he wants to pull Holly out of the boarding school. His motives, like those of most characters in the book, are never justified. With Principal Clearwater conveniently out of town, leaving nasty teacher Mr. Ellwood in charge, Holly feels vulnerable enough to run away and hide, with help from Carag and friends. (The bullying culture in the book also includes a played-for-laughs subplot about vandalizing a teacher’s art.) A final storyline—aside from Milling’s still-nebulous plots—involves a bank robbery that the kids decide to try to solve. The ending restores the status quo. Carls’ black-and-white spot art showing expressive, naturalistic animals are a highlight. Most characters are cued white; there is some racial diversity in the supporting cast.
Implausible plotlines rely on flat characterization. (Fantasy. 8-13)Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2023
ISBN: 9781646900220
Page Count: 280
Publisher: Arctis Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023
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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