Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal-winning author of A Single Shard, brings us the first book in an enchanting new fantasy trilogy, filled with apothecaries, a menagerie of animals and a grand journey into places unknown.
Raffa Santana has always had a natural instinct for the family apothecary business. So when a badly injured bat crash-lands in his yard, Raffa jumps at the chance to prove his abilities by treating the bat himself. His task leads him all across the land of Obsidia, first into the mysterious Forest of Wonders, then to the towering city of Gilden, collecting a ragtag band of friends, both human and animal, along the way. But when he and his friends begin to uncover threads of an unsettling plot in the kingdom, Raffa is forced to confront questions of loyalty and duty, and decide just where the moral limits of his craft lie.
In this novel, Park crafts a world rich in detail. The art of apothecary takes center stage and is sure to engross and captivate the imaginations of young readers. Those with a soft spot for furry friends will also be charmed by the key role they play in this story and the clever ways in which Park explores humans’ connection with the animal kingdom. Young readers—and the young at heart—will connect with Raffa’s struggle to gain confidence and find his way. The story is fast-paced and full of adventure, and builds toward a conclusion that will leave readers eager for the next installment.
