Cathedral of Bones

The Lovecraftian world of Stieger's (When My Heart Joins the Thousand) middle grade debut neatly matches both audience and genre. In the city of Eidendel, the powerful Foundation oversees the training and employment of magic users--Animists--in the service of the Continent's Queen. Fourteen-year-old Simon Frost, the disappointing, traumatized scion of a powerful Animist family, is languishing in the Foundation's mail room when a small town asks the organization for assistance in dispatching a local monster. Simon knows the Foundation's institutional indifference will result in no official help being sent, so he abandons his position to go to the town's aid. When the monster turns out to be something impossible--a tentacled, draconian creature that is also a human child--Simon is drawn into a web of conspiracy involving his family, the Foundation, and unspeakable eldritch horrors. Steiger's pervasive, matter-of-fact creepiness begins with small, almost sweet touches--imps working as street sweepers--and builds in terror as the pages turn. Many of the creatures are beautifully imagined and vividly described, and a prevailing tone of earnestness and hope balances the decay and dread to create an ideal first experience of a horror standby suited to middle graders who don't mind mild gore. Ages 8-12. Agent: Claire Anderson-Wheeler, Regal Hoffman & Assoc. (Feb.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5 Up--In this grand, steampunk-infused tale, a boy discovers that he has powerful magic--including the ability to kill a god. Fourteen-year-old Simon underperformed miserably throughout his Animist training and now works in the mail room of Foundation Headquarters in Eidendel, the seat of magic and law (think the Ministry of Magic). Tired of being bullied and feeling useless, he decides to go against orders and help the people of a tiny hamlet far from the city deal with a monster. Except the monster turns out to be Alice, who is part girl and part squid and sometimes all dragon. In order to aid Alice, who remembers nothing of her past, Simon must face his own past, which includes the tragic death of his twin sister, the disappearance of his mother, and debilitating illness and depression. Every step of their quest uncovers more mysteries and lies and unlocks more power in Simon. Strong worldbuilding is matched with breathtaking adventure, a touch of romance, and compelling characters, especially Simon, who undertakes the transformation from boy to man in an amazingly relatable way. Alice, too, shows strength and grace as she deals with the aftermath of terrifying experimentation. All characters present as white. VERDICT Thought-provoking and entertaining in equal measure, and here's hoping this isn't the last we see of Simon and Alice.--Mara Alpert, Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"[Alvie's] meltdowns and behavioral quirks add dimension to what is a fully realized portrayal of a person living with Asperger's... This is a love story that could also appeal to adult readers. Their love is hard-fought and deservedly earned."—School Library Journal (starred review)