The Shadow Arts

November 15, 2019
Evildoers barely foiled in Monstrous Devices (2018) are back in strength to reopen an ominously named "Shadow Gate" in this sequel. In the wake of a series of seemingly random art thefts, young Alex once again finds himself recruited by his glib, inscrutable Granddad for a running battle across Europe against mind-controlled robots and razor-edged drones. This time most of the action takes place in the Black Forest, where reality turns out to have thin spots. Along with being charged to figure out how to use his elusive, newly discovered powers to resurrect a dead man, Alex must somehow stymie murderous foes bent on a Walpurgisnacht exploit that may confer immortality on them, open a disastrous rent in the universe, or both. Though events set up hard tests of his loyalty and moral fiber, just as in the previous episode Alex comes off as a rather colorless protagonist next to the adult characters--all of whom, on both sides, sport intriguing combinations of martial prowess and mysterious pasts. Still, Love so packs his tale with car chases and wrecks, sudden attacks, desperate battles, narrow squeaks, weird visions, and startling discoveries, not to mention the occasional blast of magic and tentacled monster from otherwhere, that readers will be nonetheless swept along. Alex's friend David and his family are Haitian, but otherwise characters present as white. Breathlessly paced adventure with rousingly eerie and icky notes. (Horror/suspense/fantasy. 12-14)

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March 27, 2020

Gr 4-6-In this sequel to Monstrous Devices, 12-year-old Alex and his grandfather are back on a new adventure involving Grandfather's past. Alex is struggling with getting back to his normal life after connecting with the word of God, and temporarily gaining powers that he enjoyed but could lead him down a bad path. Run-ins with old foes provide further temptation as they teach him how to use magic to control "flyers." Things are made stranger when his former bully, Kenzie, reaches out to him and provides puzzling prophetic warnings out of the blue. Grandfather unexpectedly comes back into Alex's life, insisting he needs help rescuing their friend Harry in the Black Forest, where there's a strong connection to the supernatural. While Alex is from England, the majority of the story takes place in Germany. Alex and his grandfather begin to have real conversations, where Grandfather finally explains his past and the identity of their nemesis, the Tall Man. Though there is still plenty of action to be found in car chases, heists, and kidnappings, the characters have matured from the first book and are willing to make big decisions. As prophesied in the previous book, Alex is destined to have power, and here he discovers that having power is a duty, as well. VERDICT For fans of the first book and readers who enjoy action mixed in with their supernatural.-Rebecca Greer, Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, FL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
Grades 5-7 Following the events of book one (Monstrous Devices, 2018), Alex has been trying to get his robot golem to work again, to no avail. Then, after his friend Harry is abducted by the Tall Man, Grandad shows up to ask for Alex's help with a rescue. Alex learns that the Tall Man has been stealing paintings throughout Europe, possibly for the purpose of opening the legendary Shadow Gate, a portal that allows its summoner to escape death. Alex and his grandfather must stop the Tall Man and his cohorts before the gate opens. Many questions from the previous installment are answered here, including Alex's connection to the Tall Man, whom he believes is his dead father. As before, the adult characters?especially Grandad?feel more developed than Alex, the protagonist, but the breathless action is back, as well, and fans of the first book will be happy to be pulled along on Alex's second adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)