The Grimjinx Rebellion

September 1, 2014

Gr 4-6-Jaxter Grimjinx reveals at the start of this installment that he is going to die. After all, this is the prophecy that was given to him by his very own sister Aubrin, who turns out is the most powerful kind of seer ever. Which is why the Palatinate takes her away from her family and places her in the Creche, a magical place where all of the seers learn to hone their abilities. Jaxter's family doesn't care that the Creche is where seers live, they just want Aubrin back home with them, and they quickly hatch a plan to rescue her. Jaxter, Maloch, and Callie head to the Creche to be presented as new workers and quickly start their search. Aubrin is not happy to see Jaxter, however, and is worried that by coming to get her he has set the prophecy of his death in motion. Adding to their worries is the coming rebellion. The Palatinate have been messing with magic for years, and sometimes magic has a way of getting too big for relics and control. Can a clumsy thief really be the leader necessary to end the Scourge and set things right? Farrey has concluded this series with gusto and heart. Jaxter, along with his family and friends, are unforgettable, resilient, and realistically portrayed. The humor hits the mark just right and never tries too hard. As in the second title, this book could be read on its own, but kids will want to loop back to previous volumes to learn more about Vengekeep and its people. This is a winning series that deserves a home in every library.-Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2014
Grades 4-7 The Vengekeep Prophecies end with this third volume, which is as successfully engaging and energetic as the previous two episodes. Jaxter Grimjinxour narrating hero, intellectually inclined thief, and member of a caring family living in a time of goblins and scorchcakesturns 13. He also rescues his younger sister from a political kidnapping, is reunited with best friend Callie, and manages to save the state itself from overthrow by the wily Palatinate mages. Farrey sprinkles wonderfully inventive yet easily imagined objects and adjectives into both the world building of this fantasy and the character development of Jaxter and his entourage. As addictively delightful reading as Ingrid Law's Savvy series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)