Crystal Bones

Gr 7 Up—Diello and Cynthe are turning 13. Half Faelin, half human, they can hardly wait to see their magical gifts manifest themselves as they enter adulthood. Unfortunately, their birthday does not go according to plan. Determined to have adventure, the twins set off for the village fair even after being told not to go. When the twins return home, they find the farmstead destroyed, their mother dead, and their father dying. Now it is up to Diello, Cynthe, a talking wolf pup, and a goblin creature called Scree to fight goblins, uncover the secrets of their parents' past, and rescue their kidnapped sister. The character development of the two protagonists is slow going. They are reckless and quarrelsome almost from beginning to end with only glimpses of maturity as they learn to work together instead of fighting for control. Unfortunately, their interactions with each other and with other characters feel contrived and at times fall flat. While the action keeps readers engaged, the plot is fairly predictable, and fantasy fans will feel as if they've read it all before. On the other hand, Hall's world-building is complex and imaginative. Her made-up words, creatures, and ideas enhance the story's readability. Overall, readers who aren't too picky about literary style will enjoy the world that the author has created.—Elizabeth C. Johnson, Multnomah County Library, OR