Stoneheart

May 14, 2007
F
letcher has an intriguing premise at the heart of his YA debut, the first in a planned trilogy, but the execution is flat. Twelve-year-old George Chapman is living a life that feels “pale and gray and washed out,” missing his father and struggling to fit in. On a class outing to a museum, he is blamed for something he didn't do; in anger, he breaks a carved dragon's head protruding from a wall. Moments later, a stone pterodactyl on another wall comes alive and chases George through the streets of London. A man named Gunner comes to his rescue; he turns out to be a “spit,” a statue made in the image of a living person and brought to life imbued with a bit of that person's spirit. Taints, conversely—like the gargoyles and dragons that suddenly pose such a threat to George—are dangerous precisely because they have nothing human in them. Stone carvings spring to life everywhere, furious with George for his act of destruction; a riddle contest with a nasty Sphinx reveals that George needs to find something called the Stone Heart to save his life and repair what he has broken. His quest takes him to an alternate, unseen London (one of many “un-Londons”), and eventually to a Minotaur's maze in the heart of the city. There is an ironic lifelessness to Fletcher's tale, particularly his protagonist who doesn't ring true; George is a bit more likeable at the finale, as he prepares to fight the murderous Walker in the sequel, but it may be too late for readers. Ages 10-up.

August 1, 2007
Gr 5-9-When 12-year-old George breaks a carved dragon's head at the Natural History Museum, he enters a dangerous parallel world where statues come alive. He soon discovers that gargoyles and other malicious "taints" are pursuing him in revenge. Fortunately, the boy also meets human statues, or "spits," who help him search for the mysterious stoneheart that can free him from the wrath of the taints. The result is an action-packed fantasy filled with battles, chases, and an intriguing variety of characters. The steadfast Gunner becomes George's friend, but other spits are less trustworthy, making his search for the elusive stoneheart trickier. The boy reluctantly joins forces with Edie, a feisty girl with hidden powers of her own. The villains are particularly compelling, from the bizarre Grid Man to a fierce and powerful Minotaur. Then there's the ominous Walker, whose destiny is tied up with those of both George and Edie. As the action proceeds, readers learn more about the two heroes. George evolves from a frightened whiner into a capable and eventually heroic figure, while Edie's mysterious past is revealed in bits and pieces. Characterizations often take a backseat to the many clashes and narrow escapes, but the humans' relationships become more interesting as events proceed. The buildings and statues of London are depicted vividly enough to engage readers unfamiliar with the city. A satisfying conclusion resolves some plot threads and leaves others to be explored in the next stage of the planned trilogy."Steven Engelfried, Multnomah County Library, OR"

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