The Last Life of Prince Alastor

December 1, 2018

Gr 6 Up-Determined to save his sister Prue from the evil witch, Pyra, Prosper has struck a deal with the fiend named Alastor; he will be the fiend's servant for all eternity. Heading to Alastor's home, the Third Realm, Prosper discovers that it isn't just his own family at stake. A force known as the Void is consuming the realm and Pyra claims she can stop it, but at a steep price. Picking up where the first installment left off, the author continues to weave a complex, dark, and comedic tale full of page-turning adventure and plot twists. The mystery of the fate of the realm unfolds slowly enough to build anticipation but doesn't lose readers along the way. The portrayal of the Third Realm is descriptive, vivid, and believable. The characters are well developed, relatable, and draw readers easily into the story. VERDICT Fans of comedic horror, mystery, fantasy, and adventure who have read the first one will enjoy this sequel. Recommended where the first installment is popular.-Kira Moody, Salt Lake County Library Services

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Starred review from November 1, 2018
Following The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding (2017), Prosper and his evil body-sharing hitchhiker, Alastor, must team up to follow their respective sisters into the realm of the fiends.As Alastor's sister Pyra--formerly his favorite sibling and now his chief rival--has abducted Prosper's twin, Prue, and absconded with her to the Downstairs, Prosper strikes a deal with Alastor for the latter's aid in recovering Prue. Alastor's excited to see home after centuries trapped in the human realm but finds much has changed, from landmarks to even the social hierarchy among fiends--and magic is subject to rationing in the face of a threat called the Void. Prosper must conceal his humanity and avoid Pyra's hunters as he travels through this odd world, with its odder inhabitants--and the occasional familiar face or newfound ally. Interspersed with present-day action (alternating Prosper's first-person perspective with Alastor's third-) are flashbacks to Alastor's history with the WASP-y Reddings, specifically Prosper's ancestor Honor Redding, telling the story of Honor's fall from a good, humble man who thinks of Alastor as a friend to the monster who traps Alastor and curses the Bellegraves (a descendent of whom is dark-skinned, biracial Nell, Prosper's friend-turn-betrayer). The adventure through the well-realized, lovingly disgusting, monstrous world is a wild ride on its own, with one Hell of a climax. Its power increases through deft exploration of privilege, choice, and responsibility, themes that manifest in genuinely moving moments.A demonic buddy-comedy with as much danger as heart--fiendishly fun. (Fantasy/horror. 9-14)

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