Game of Shadows

October 31, 2016
Lewis’s contemporary fantasy debut has plenty of grounding in myth but a number of flaws in the story. Teenager Ethan Makkai’s mom won’t let him walk to school by himself, and she never gives him a reason why. In fact, she never lets him do anything by himself. On his 14th birthday he decides he isn’t going to take the babying any more. Ethan thinks that his mom’s trying to protect him from people who would be distressed that he can see ghosts—he isn’t about to tell anyone anyway, because kids will think he’s a freak—but he resents not being allowed to go for a stroll alone in his hometown of Venice, Calif. What Ethan doesn’t know is that he and his mother are fugitives from a hidden world called Tara where magic is possible and unbelievable creatures live. While he’s taking a solo walk, his mother is kidnapped, and he has to rescue her from Tara. Though Lewis has clearly studied Celtic legends thoroughly, the narrative she builds atop them is simplistic and lacking in depth; there’s plenty of exciting action throughout, but the main characters get mysterious help each time they’re threatened. Agent: Sally Wofford-Girand, Union Literary.

December 1, 2016
Ethan's mom is overprotective. She won't let him go anywhere without her, even walk to school. He thinks she is trying to help him keep his gift (he can talk to ghosts) a secret. But when Ethan goes out alone on his fifteenth birthday, he discovers that his secret is not the only one she is keeping. Before he knows it, his mother has been kidnapped by supernatural forces, and he has been whisked away to mythic Tara, home to the ancient Celtic deities. Not only is his mom not just an undocumented housekeeper, she is actually a runaway princess. Ethan's grandfather, the king, has been murderedand Ethan's gift marks him out as the next ruler. Now he must find a way to save his mother from evil sorcerers and rival kingdoms and find his place in this new life. Featuring breakneck adventure, humor, and abundant characters to enjoy, this will appeal to fans of Rick Riordan and Celtic-mythology buffs alike. Readers will want to flip to the end matter for a pronunciation and translation guide.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)