Carrie Ryan, who is best known for the young adult apocalyptic zombie series, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, finds her kindler, gentler (but no less thrilling) side as she teams up with her husband, John Parke Davis, for the first in a projected four-part middle grade adventure series.
Marrill is disappointed to learn that she is going to be living in Phoenix for the foreseeable future while her mother undergoes treatment for a serious illness. She wishes her family could return to their itinerant, adventure-seeking lifestyle from before her mom got sick. So when she encounters a mysterious ship floating on what appears to be an abandoned parking lot, she is more than a little intrigued.
Meanwhile, in another world full of monsters and wizards, Fin possess the magical blessing or curse of being utterly forgettable—even the woman who rescued him from the orphanage and raised him has completely forgotten his existence. So when he receives a cryptic letter from someone who not only recognizes him but acknowledges his powers of thievery, he knows he needs to follow the clues.
When Merrill and Fin meet each other, it’s the start of a powerful friendship—and the kickoff of an adventure that readers will devour. The authors cleverly balance witty wordplay, action, suspense and emotional impact for a novel that is a lively introduction to a great new series—and a quest that kids will want to embark upon.
