The Hollow Bettle

August 17, 2009
This bewitching first book in the Poisons of Caux trilogy introduces 11-year-old Ivy Manx, who lives with her apotheopath (healer) uncle Cecil in Caux, a once pleasant kingdom now “a hotbed of wickedness and general mischief” run by King Nightshade; his wife, Artilla; and the sinister Vidal Verjouce. Skills once used to heal are now used to poison, and only those who can afford one of Verjouce's Guild-certified “tasters” (who ensure food's purity) are safe. One year after the disappearance of her uncle, Ivy is forced to flee her home, pursued by agents of the Crown and the Guild, her travels taking her across Caux and revealing her fated role as her homeland's savior. Debut author Appelbaum's stylish, atmospheric prose is well matched by Taylor's warm interior illustrations (printed in green, along with the text), which offer rich, angular portraits. Caux is an enchanting, unusual setting that echoes the complexity of its heroes and villains alike. “High above the tallest trees, you can feel the land's misfortune,” Appelbaum writes. “You might feel it even pulling you in.” Ages 9–13.

December 1, 2009
Gr 5-9-This story is set in Caux, now ruled by tyrannical King Nightshade. Under his regime, the healing arts have been pushed aside in favor of poisonry. In fact, avoiding being poisoned is a daily concern that has given rise to a shadowy guild that trains and accredits professional food tasters. When 11-year-old Ivy's unclethe last apothoepath healer in the kingdomdisappears, she sets off to find him, accompanied by Rowan, a recently graduated young taster whose skills become suspect after a number of the king's men end up poisoned while on his watch. Ivy carries a very special bettle, or gem, which has mysterious healing powers. This unusual object may be one reason she's being pursued by guards and the minions of Vidal Verjouce, the frightening head of the Tasters' Guild, but other reasons soon come to light. The writing is vivid and there are many delightful ideas in this first novel, but the plot depends on all-too-familiar fantasy tropes used in unoriginal ways: a prophecy, an orphaned child, and predictable family relationships. Still, the story manages to remain compelling. Several atmospheric black-and-white illustrations are included."Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2009
Grades 4-7 Ten-year-old Ivy Manx prefers concocting poisons to learning herbal remedies, as her apotheopath (healer) uncle would have her to do. But when that uncle disappears during a mission to cure the King of Caux, Ivys darker side stands her in good stead. She heads off to save her uncle and along the way encounters true evil, a crystal-sniffing pig named Poppy, a dishonored young poison taster, and the tastiest food this side of a trestlemans table. Appelbaums first novel, opening the Poisons of Caux trilogy, is a deeply satisfying, humor-laced quest with elements of wizardry and herbology, deeds of a dastardly nature, and ultimately, redemption. Similar in tone but not as darkly Dickensian as Lemony Snickets A Series of Unfortunate Events, this adventure pulses with imaginatively named characters, gratifying close calls, and a landscape that is vividly alive. Readers, individually or as part of a read-aloud experience, will savor young Ivys expedition and eagerly await more adventures in the land of Caux.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)