Shadow Wrack

December 15, 2015
The peculiar residents of Eldritch Manor return. In what is basically a rerun with a few more characters, 12-year-old Willa once again interacts with the odd senior citizens (actually mythical creatures in human form) that she first encountered at their retirement home in Book 1. As in the first book, the plot revolves around forces of evil in the form of spreading dark holes from which unpleasant creatures emerge. Willa, the quarrelsome senior citizens, and myriad fantasy beings engage in battle with the evil creatures. While the story's bones have potential, the members of the plot's too-large cast of characters are too thinly sketched to engage readers' connection, and even Willa, the protagonist, comes across as more flat than intriguing. A weak plot twist carries little resonance, as the character it involves is one-dimensional, and its overall theme--anger contributes to evil--is presented in a tension-killing, obvious, didactic manner. While the story contains much action, it relies heavily on telling rather than showing, which has the effect of coming across as repetitive and confusing rather than heart-racing. A promising storyline--that of Willa's grandmother, begun in Book 1--does not develop here. A story whose idea has potential but that needs characters with real depth and a more complex and consistent plot to have impact. (Fantasy. 8-11)

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January 1, 2016

Gr 4-7-For Willa Fuller, "normal" seems like an out-of-this-realm possibility. This second installment of the series continues Willa's adventures with Miss Trang and her crew of magical and mystical creatures. The story begins with Willa's recap of the first novel's events and her exasperation with her family and friends for just going about their normal lives while she's still all shook up from almost dying and watching the manor going up in flames. Miss Trang, per usual, departs on an important meeting, leaving Willa in charge of the inhabitants of Eldritch Manor, which is being rebuilt by dwarfs. Of course, things don't go smoothly for Willa; her family refuses to discuss the supernatural events even though they have a few magical residents staying in their home. Horace (part-man, part-lion) is getting old and a tad confused, fairies and dwarfs are fighting nonstop, and black spots (the same black spots that spurred the destruction of the manor) are invading Willa's home and other places once again. The neighbors are starting to get very suspicious, and Willa's anger is growing to immeasurable proportions. The 12-year-old protagonist takes on all of these conundrums and more, calling on powers she didn't know existed, though she's not sure if they will be enough to keep the manor and its inhabitants safe. VERDICT A must-purchase where there are fans of the first book and a solid series addition to most middle grade fantasy collections.-Meghan Oppelt, Whitehall School District, WI

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