VILLAIN KEEPER

Determined to gain both his father’s approval and the title of Elite Paladin, 12-year-old Prince Caden embarks on a quest to slay a dragon—and ends up in a different and very strange universe.

Alas, a mysterious spell thwarts his plans almost instantaneously, sending him, his horse and Brynne, a former playmate and budding dark (but not evil) sorceress, to Asheville, North Carolina. The young prince quickly discovers that middle school can be as dangerous as any quest, particularly when the math teacher is an evil tyrant, the lunch ladies are witches, and the placement counselor is a dragon. Caden and Brynne land in foster care, where they make like-minded friends who will, they hope, help them defeat the resident evil and return home. While primarily a lighthearted coming-of-age fantasy, the book offers surprising moments of depth focusing on familial relationships or the lack thereof. Unfortunately, while the plot is entertaining, there are missteps. The characters frequently seem to know more than they should, and the narrative is weighted down by unnecessary back story. Finally, the mystery is revealed too early, robbing the narrative of energy. While perhaps not enough to sink this new series entirely, the cumulative effect does diminish its power.

A promising new series gets off to a shaky start; here’s hoping subsequent volumes smooth out the ride.