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A first-rate fantasy for middle-grade readers. Like Harry Potter,... Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series,... and Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society books.
— Booklist, Starred
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A great read for fantasy lovers who have worn out their copies of Harry Potter.
— School Library Journal, Starred
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...brimful of antic energy and inventive flair, like the best middle-grade fantasies; readers, like baby birds, will devour it and clamor for future installments.
— Kirkus Reviews
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“Adult author Hagen (The Laments) makes his children's debut with a fantasy adventure touched with whimsy, satire, and the quirky love of urban fauna that characterizes New Yorkers.
— Publishers Weekly, Starred
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Both startling and moving—a vivid, compelling fantasy that sends you off to a world you will not soon forget.
— Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth
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“Never less than engaging. At times, it is enchanting.”
— New York Times Book Review
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”Adult author Hagen makes his children’s debut with a fantasy adventure
touched with whimsy, satire, and the quirky love of urban fauna that
characterizes New Yorkers…With an unlikely crew of mismatched Brooklyn
schoolmates, Gabriel takes up the mantle of the ancient, bittersweet relationship
between humans and ravens in order to untangle the even more twisted
relationships between human and human. Though familiar tropes abound, Hagen’s
sensibility is unique—the desk-wrangling scene is not to be missed. There’s a
hint of sequels to come, but this quest is more than satisfying on its own.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“Hagen has crafted a tale that contains riddles, magic, courage,
loyalty, and compassion in a way that is sure to engage readers. Gabriel
inhabits a dark world where friendship is the guiding light and differences are
respected and valued. This is a great read for fantasy lovers who have worn out
their copies of Harry Potter. The
ending suggests that more is to come, and more will be welcome.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
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“Hagen offers a first-rate fantasy for middle-grade readers,…This story,
told from several points of view, is fresh: full of ravens, riddles, and the
ongoing urge to make things right in a world where much has gone wrong. Though
the narrative is a bit choppy in places, the characters carry the day, with
their humor and strength. Humor is, in fact, one of the book’s selling points,
often in the form of the characters’ witty repartee. Middle-graders looking for
a soaring fantasy that’s not too hard, not too easy, will find this just right.”
— Booklist (starred review)
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“Brimful of antic energy and inventive flair, like the best
middle-grade fantasies; readers, like baby birds, will devour it and clamor for
future installments.”
— Kirkus Reviews
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“Both startling and moving—a vivid,
compelling fantasy that sends you off to a world you will not soon forget.”
— Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth