Children's Book Reviews
The Dark Flight Down by Marcus Sedgwick
Wendy Lamb Books, September, 2005Hardcover, 230 pages
ISBN: 0385746458
Ages 10 and up
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
In
The Book of Dead Days readers were introduced to
a darkly gothic world in which Boy was the assistant to the
magician Valerian, who is now dead. Now owned by
the mysterious Kepler, Boy is determined to learn the secrets of
magic for himself. But before he can retrieve the ancient book that
he believes will reveal all, he is captured and imprisoned by the
completely mad Emperor Frederick III, who wants the book to
discover the secret of immortality. Boy finds an ally in Maxim,
the Emperor's right hand man, who has been ordered to find a way
to make the repulsive Emperor live forever. Meanwhile, a frightening Phantom
haunts the dungeon where Boy is being held and is terrorizing the City with its
bloodlust. When the ancient magic book resurfaces and Boy's long-lost childhood
friend Willow returns to help him, events take a very strange turn.
All of Boy's questions will be answered by the ancient book, but they may
not be the answers that he was hoping for.
Marcus Sedgwick has created a dark and chilling atmosphere peopled with very interesting characters. Many of them are unpleasant, but Boy is a hero worth rooting for. With intricate plot twists and excellent characterization, The Dark Flight Down is a compelling, dark, magical coming of age story.
Fairy Realm: The Water Sprites by Emily Rodda
HarperCollins, October, 2005Hardcover, 13 pages
ISBN: 0060777613
Ages 7-10
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Little girls simply devour the Fairy Realm books by Emily Rodda.
The series centers on Jessie a young girl whose grandmother
is the true ruler of the Fairy Realm (she left to marry Jessie's
Grandfather). When her grandmother's magical charm bracelet went missing,
Jessie had to help her grandmother save the Fairy Realm. Now Jessie
makes frequent trips to the Fairy Realm. In this eighth adventure,
Jessie receives an invitation to a party in Liralee village. Jessie's
friends Giff the Elf and Maybelle the miniature horse are also going to the party.
On the way to the party, Jessie gets waylaid by the Water Sprites whose
Finding Pool is drying up because someone has built a dam up the river.
Jessie removes the dam, helping the Water Sprites, but her actions
cause despair in Liralee village because a newborn baby was swept
down the river to the Finding Pool. By ancient law, whatever ends up in the
Finding Pool is the property of the Water Sprites. And because the Sprites'
Moon Stone has been stolen, they are in no mood to cooperate with the Liraleeans.
It's is up to Jessie once again to solve the mystery of the thefts and restore
peace to the realm.
The Fairy Realm series is aimed at a the elementary-school audience, and is very lighthearted. There are no dark passages or horror elements: just a fun mystery, a magical, beautiful world and just enough adventure to thrill a young girl. The talented and prolific Emily Rodda knows just how to pique a young girl's interest: this is the eighth adventure in the series which shows no signs of faltering. This is a must-read for anyone who loves fairies and is looking for a sweet, wholesome read.
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