Looking for some imaginative and exciting fantasy and science fiction books? This week we include reviews of the latest additions to old favorites, as well as stand-alone and first books in new series. From animal fantasies to modern fairytales to science fiction set on futuristic Earth or in galaxies far, far away, there is something here for everyone.
Ages 4–8
Better Together (Heartwood Hotel #3). Kallie George. Ill. Stephanie Graegin. 2018. Disney-Hyperion.
Mona (an orphaned mouse who found a true home as a maid in the Heartwood Hotel in Book One) is busy spring cleaning. Amid rumors of a rival splashy hotel opening in Fernwood Forest, plans are underway to add more zing to the Heartwood’s spring season. Henry, a young squirrel, suggests replacing the annual Heartwood Hop with a season of competitions. Flyers about the Spring Splash go up throughout the forest, and the hotel is soon filled with guests staying for the season to participate in contests (Cutest Egg, Tiniest Talent, and Best Blossom) and the Grand Finale. Mona is overwhelmed with housekeeping chores and extra duties related to the festivities, and is jealous over all the attention clever Henry is getting from staff and guests. When unwanted intruders disrupt the festivities, however, it is brave Mona who saves the endangered hotel guests—and the reputation of the Heartwood Hotel. Readers can look forward to the summer season at the Heartwood Hotel in Home Again, out this July.
—CA
The Cherry Pie Princess. Vivian French. Ill. Marta Kissi. 2018. Kane Miller.
The King has many strict rules and severe punishments for disobeying them. After Princess Peony asks Librarian Lionel Longbeard if she can borrow a cookbook, he is thrown into the dungeon. When Peony bakes delicious cherry pies, the King bans her from the kitchen. While her parents busily prepare for her brother’s christening and invite the three good fairies (but not the nasty Hag from Scrabster’s Hump), Peony pesters her father to release Longbeard from the dungeon. As a result, he orders that she be locked in her room. Clever Princess Peony escapes, but when found, is thrown into the dungeon for Those Who Speak Out of Turn. With the christening ceremony in full swing, the hag sneaks in, springing a revenge spell on everyone in attendance (“Sleeping twine … that baby’s mine!). Peony, who has once again escaped, is the only one who can save the kingdom from a never-ending nap (well, with the help of the librarian and the jester from the dungeon and a talking cat) and reverse her father’s tyrant ways. Kissi’s humorous black-and-white illustrations complement this reimagined tale of Sleeping Beauty.
—NB
Ages 9–11
The Adventures of Alfie Onion. Vivian French. Ill. Marta Kissi. 2018. Kane Miller.
As the seventh son of a seventh son, Magnifico Onion is sent adventuring by his fairytale obsessed mother to find a castle, to kiss and marry a princess, and to bring back gold and jewels so that the Onion family can live “Happily Ever After in Glorious Luxury.” Alfie, the eighth son, is sent along to carry Magnifico’s luggage and baskets full of porkpies, sausages, and buns. In true fairytale fashion, while self-indulgent and cowardly Magnifico is not equipped for the hardships and dangers of a great adventure, brave and loyal Alfie becomes the true hero. With the help of some talking animal companions—Bowser, his dog; a horse named Adeline; two mice, Penelope and Norman; and two magpies, Perce and Kev—Alfie frees the castle of the ogre Grindbone and his son, Flugg. Alfie Onion and Princess Mary Onion live happily ever after (so does Magnifico, in a different way). Black-and-white illustrations featuring the large cast of characters add to the fun of reading this rollicking adventure.
—CA
The Royal Rabbits of London (The Royal Rabbits of London #1). Santa Montefiore & Simon Sebag Montefiore. Ill. Kate Hindley. 2018. Aladdin/Simon & Schuster.
Although it is forbidden by the Leaders of the Warren to venture to the burrow at the edge of the forest, Shylo Tawny-Tail, a small, skinny, and timid young rabbit, goes there to visit Horatio, an old, battle-scarred grey rabbit, who tells him stories from The Rise and Fall of the Great Rabbit Empire. When Shylo tells Horatio about overhearing three Ratzis planning to sneak into the Queen’s bedroom in Buckingham Palace to take pictures of the Queen in her nightie to sell to rat-on-a-celebrity.com, Horatio sends Shylo to alert the Royal Rabbits, who are charged with protecting the royals. Taking to heart Horatio’s “Go! By will and by luck, with a moist carrot, a wet nose, and a slice of mad courage,” Shylo makes the dangerous journey to London and leads the Royal Rabbits through a labyrinth of tunnels and, with a sensitive nose and quick thinking, foils the rats’ scandalous paparazzi scheme. This fast-paced, humorous animal fantasy with an unlikely hero is a delightful read-aloud adventure.
—CA
Ages 12–14
The Last Gargoyle. Paul Durham. 2018. Crown/Random House.
Penhallow, who makes it clear he is a Grotesque and not a member of the “bunch of glorified water fountains” called Gargoyles, is the protector of the inhabitants of his Domain, an old apartment house. Penhallow, who can leave the apartment’s rooftop by taking his wisp form and shape-shifting (often as a boy in a hoodie), has become aware that a dark evil is abroad in the city. The Boneless King, ruler of the underworld, is gathering an army of Netherkins—malignant spirits of the dead who choose to stay “before moving on to what’s Next.”Aware that his Domain, the city of Boston, and perhaps the entire world is under threat, Penhallow must find a way to thwart the Boneless King. To do so he takes the mysterious girl who appears on his rooftop as an ally. The droll humor of the first-person narration of this suspenseful tale provides the perfect balance of creepy and funny. Back matter includes a glossary of “goyle-isms,” an author’s note, and a “Penhallow’s Real-World Haunts” list of real places in Boston.
—CA
War of the Realms (Valkyrie #3). Kate O’Hearn. 2018. Aladdin/Simon & Schuster.
In the latest book of this Norse trilogy, the Frost Giants, Fire Giants, and Dark Searchers, usually enemies, unite in a War of the Realms to murder Odin so that their chosen leader, Dirian, can rule all creatures and humans. As the war spills over into Earth, threatening to become Ragnarök (the War to End All Wars, which would end life in all of the realms—not just Earth), Valkyrie Freya (a legendary reaper who can cause death with her touch) enlists the help of family, humans, and creatures to turn the giants against each other and to stop the war. During the battle, Freya and her allies put their lives and souls on the line, but is this enough to turn back the clock as death and destruction reign? O’Hearn includes a “Guide to This World” with background information about the names, places, and events in Norse mythology in War of the Realm. Readers who missed the two preceding books in this apocalyptic series will want to experience the buildup to this climactic war of the worlds.
—NB
Ages 15+
Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2). Neal Shusterman. 2018. Simon & Schuster.
In a utopian society where death only happens at the hands of scythes—specially chosen and trained ethical reapers of souls—the Thunderhead (the computerized consciousness of the society and the perfect steward of the planet) has been programmed to observe the rulership of Scythedom. Rowan, the fallen apprentice pitted against Citra for the role of scythe, has gone off-grid to glean corrupt scythes. Citra, now Scythe Anastasia, gleans with compassion. Forbidden to act or to “feel,” the Thunderhead sees the acceptance of illegal perversions in some scythes resulting in a “new order,” while Citra, her mentor Scythe Curie, and others demand established decency and humane standards. High-stakes politics come to a head during the World Council election inquest in Endura, the elite Scythe floating island, with explosive results leading to the third book in the series, expected to be released next year.
—NB
Unearthed (Unearthed #1). Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner. 2018. Hyperion/Disney Book Group.
Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, the Undyings, from deserted planet Gaia, seemingly providing the technological solution Earth has been waiting for. Scientist Dr. Addison discloses the warning that comes with the message, and is jailed. His genius son, 17-year-old Jules Addison, who has been secretly hired by Global Energy Solutions to study alien energy technology on Gaia, plans to bring back evidence to restore his father’s reputation. Through unplanned circumstances, Jules reluctantly teams up with 16-year-old Amelia (a scavenger, raider, and out-of-the-box thinker, who secretly plans to steal technology she finds on Gaia). As they escape mercenaries with evil intentions, they translate hieroglyphs found in an ancient abandoned temple with supposed history and riches to solve complicated puzzles that allow them to proceed through the temple to the next challenge—or to be killed if they make a mistake. What they discover is beyond their imaginations and requires every ounce of their intelligence, strength, and courage to survive and solve the Undying’s last message. Readers will eagerly await the next installment in this series.
—NB
Nancy Brashear is Professor Emeritus of English from Azusa Pacific University, in Azusa, California. Carolyn Angus is former Director of the George G. Stone Center for Children's Books, Claremont Graduate University, in Claremont, California.