School Library Journal

Gr 5–8— This is a true roller coaster of a book, starting with sea-giants and ending with soul crabs (surely one of the creepier inventions in recent literary history), with plenty of loops and drops and zero-g moments in between. The mostly ebullient Lord Umber and his unusual ward, Happenstance, experience one adventure after another—some simply to feed Umber's insatiable need to learn about his world, others with more complicated purposes. At home, the future of the crown is in some doubt. Umber is concerned, but the opportunity to study dragons is irresistible, so he and Hap, along with the incurably honest Oates and some new and/or unusual friends, travel to Sarnica, a kingdom ruled by a corrupt king and his worse son. They soon find themselves caught up in a civil war. Catanese has imagination to spare, with new wonders around every corner. A few scenes of war, slavery, and animal abuse may disturb some readers, though more is implied than actually described. Youngsters learn something of Happenstance's background and get a taste of Umber's early days, but only enough of both to whet appetites for the next book. Familiarity with the first book isn't necessary, but readers will want to get their hands on it after reading this one.—Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library